The U.S. Capitol Police announced on Thursday that it has requested the Department of Defense to have the National Guard’s support at the Capitol extended beyond March 12. The formal request came from Yogananda Pittman, the Capitol Police acting chief. “The Department takes its mission seriously and will do whatever is necessary to achieve that mission,” an announcement from the Capitol Police reads. “The USCP is extremely grateful for the Department of Defense and the National Guard support provided since January 6th. We understand the Guard has a tremendous service need back home responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.” Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), a former Pentagon official and member of the House Armed Services Committee, announced on Twitter on Thursday, “I am hearing from contacts at the National Guard that the U.S. Capitol Police have asked for a 60-day extension of the Guard’s mission in and around the Capitol, and that the Guard is …