Despite the abrupt removal of their long-time leader, the members of the D.C. National Guard are going to line the streets for the inauguration of Donald Trump — the 45th President of the United States.

Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, who has proudly led the 2,700 member unit since 2008, will be relieved of his command immediately after Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Jan. 20.

With the incoming administration, Maj. Gen. Errol R. Schwartz, commander of the D.C. National Guard, has been asked to step down immediately after the inauguration.

“The timing is very unusual,” Schwartz said in an interview with the Washington Post. “My troops will be on the streets. I’ll send them off, but I won’t be able to welcome them back to the armory.” Whether it is protecting D.C. streets or fighting in Afghanistan, the 65-year-old soldier said that he has never left a mission, “in the middle of battle.”

In the wake of several news reports, members of the Trump Transition team asked Schwartz to remain on until after the inauguration, but he declined. The National Guard did not respond to AFRO inquiries before press time.

“I am glad he declined. General Schwartz is man of integrity,” said Chief Warrant Officer Betty Brown, who was a member of the DC National Guard for more than 23 years before she retired. “This is the military and they are trying to run it like a big business. There is no transition, there is no institutional knowledge.”

Brown said she worked closely with Schwartz before she retired. “He sent us to Afghanistan, He sent us to Iraq, I applaud his integrity,” she said.

Georgia Eaves, a retired Army Captain, who is now Commander of the D.C. Chapter of the National Association for Black Veterans, said “It is very important to give proper respect to our military leaders. The D.C. National Guard is very important in this city because they provide protection to all of government leaders. They are the first people called if there is a threat in D.C.”

Brig. Gen. William J. Walker, another Black man, was named as Schwartz’s interim replacement. And while Walker said his soldiers and airmen are ready to serve, the change at the D.C. Armory caused officials to point fingers at Donald Trump even though members of his transition reportedly asked Schwartz to remain at his post until after the inauguration.

Typically, the National Guard is under the authority of the Governors in the 50 states, but in the District of Columbia and U.S. territories, these soldiers answer directly to the President of the United States.

Walker said the tumult won’t impair the day’s operations or how the thousands of service members will respond to emergencies.

Schwartz enlisted in the District of Columbia Army National Guard in 1976, according to his official bio. He was commissioned in June 1979 and appointed as a platoon leader in the 104th Maintenance Company and later rose to the rank of Major General.

But now Schwartz, who commanded ground forces and aviation wings for the D.C. Air National Guard, is reportedly preparing for retirement.