It appears that the National Guard has finally fulfilled the Democrats’ purposes. Troops are now leaving the U.S. Capitol after almost five months of being placed there as political props after Jan. 6, or, as Politico reported, “amid fears of further unrest after the violent Jan. 6 insurrection.”

The National Guard remained deployed in the area during the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump and the inauguration of President Joe Biden. Since then, Capitol Police and other officials have moved towards addressing the security shortcomings exposed by the Jan. 6 riot.

The National Guard kept its troops at the Capitol for nearly five months ostensibly to protect the building from unexplained “threats.” Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin released a statement explaining that “these airmen and soldiers protected not only the grounds, but the lawmakers working on those grounds, ensuring the people’s business could continue unabated.”

However, none of the threats that federal agencies cited materialized. Politico noted:

“The Guard had been gradually drawing down its forces for months: In January, about 26,000 troops had converged on the Capitol as officials identified further threats of violence following the riot. By March that figure had dropped to roughly 5,000 troops.”

Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers welcomed the withdrawal, arguing that the continued presence of National Guard troops would “have high costs, both financially and in terms of national readiness,” according to Politico.

The move comes as both parties are debating Capitol security and questions over the best ways to ensure the area is kept safe. House Democrats passed a $1.9 billion emergency funding measure designed to enhance Capitol security. However, no Republicans voted in support of the bill, arguing that it contains unnecessary provisions. It does not appear that GOP senators will support the bill either, leaving the matter at a standstill.

But perhaps we should get to the bottom line: The Democrats are milking the Jan. 6 riot for all it is worth. This is the reason why they kept National Guard troops in the Capitol for this long. As red states began withdrawing its troops months ago when they realize the added security was no longer needed, some blue states sent more. (See: Pentagon Will Continue Allowing Progressives to Use National Guard Troops as Political Props)

The reason why is obvious: Having National Guard troops present at the Capitol even when there was no imminent threat was part of the left’s effort to exaggerate the significance of the Jan. 6 riots so they could continue using it to smear conservatives and Republicans. These men and woman who were there to do their jobs were nothing more than human political props designed to serve a political purpose. Perhaps the left finally realized this particular cow is now empty, so it is time to put it out to pasture lest it becomes an albatross around their necks.