National Guard troops in DC hospitalized after being served undercooked food

Thousands of National Guardsmen remain in DC from across the country to provide additional security at the US Capitol, a move that remains a source of controversy as some lawmakers believe their protection is unnecessary.

Upon arrival in DC, the treatment of Guardsmen has been at the center of controversy, sparking nationwide outrage after thousands of Guardsmen were told to leave the Capitol grounds they were protecting and forced to sleep in congressional parking garages.

This is not the only controversy involving the treatment of our servicemen in DC. It has now been discovered that Guardsmen have been served low-quality meals including raw meat and food tainted with metal shavings.

A staff sergeant with the Michigan National Guard who decided to blow the whistle on the current situation in DC, told 7 Action News about the vile treatment of the troops. "Yesterday, for instance, there were 74 different meals found with raw beef in them," said the sergeant who wished to remain anonymous. "Just yesterday (during lunch), soldiers had found metal shavings in their food."

The staff sergeant also acknowledged the low-quality breakfast the troops were being served, believing it was due to supply quantity. "You were getting maybe a Danish and some sort of juice," the sergeant said. "And then we had certain days where it was clearly a dinner role and Sunny D."

According to 7 Action News, changes in food quality were made after troops were hospitalized for consuming undercooked meat.

"They said alright, we’re going to make sure we spot check them. And we’re also going to start having them add temperatures to it," the whistleblower said. "At 140, you cook that chicken, undercook it to 140, and now you’re telling... you’re telling us that it’s… a 30-minute drive. This is what they say on the little placard that’s (inaudible) good for four hours. No, it’s not. It wasn’t good from the start and now it’s had hours to become even more dangerous."

The complaints made their way up to Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) who called the acting secretary of the Army and said the food was "unacceptable."

Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) released a statement on twitter condemning the treatment of our servicemen.

"The men and women of @MINationalGuard are in DC protecting the Capitol: the very symbol of our democracy. This is completely outrageous and unacceptable. It must be fixed—immediately—and I’ll be looking into this as a member of @SASCDems," said Peters.

There is currently no timeline on when National Guardsmen will be allowed to leave DC and return safely to their homes.