Published on
ADVERTISEMENT
Three Republican-led sates said on Saturday that they were deploying hundreds of National Guard members to the nation’s capital in an effort to bolster the Trump administration’s initiative of overhauling policing in Washington through a federal crackdown on crime and homelessness.
West Virginia said it will be deploying between 300 to 400 Guard troops. South Carolina pledged 200, while Ohio says it send 150 in the coming days, marking a significant escalation of the federal intervention.
The move came as protesters pushed back on federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in the heavily Democratic city following US President Donald Trump’s executive order federalising local police forces and activating about 800 of the capital’s National Guard troops.
By adding outside troops to the existing Washington Guard deployment and federal law enforcement presence, Trump is looking to exert even tighter control over the city in a power play he’s justified as an emergency response to rising crime and homelessness.
Local Washington area officials say the move is unjustified as they noted that violent crime is lower today than it was during Trump’s first term in office.
The Republican governors of West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio say they’re deploying the troops at the request of the Trump administration.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said he directed his Guard troops to head to Washington, adding that the state “is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital.”
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster said he authorised the deployment of his state’s National Guardsmen to help law enforcement in Washington at the Pentagon’s request. He noted that if a hurricane or other natural disaster strikes, they would be recalled.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said his troops will be sent to “carry out presence patrols and serve as added security” and that they were expected to arrive in the coming days. His statement said Army Secretary Dan Driscoll requested the troops.
Protesters push back on federal crackdown in Washington
A protest against Trump’s intervention gathered thousands of people on Saturday, who proceeded to march to the White House.
Demonstrators rallied behind banners and placards which read “no fascist takeover of DC”. Protesters were also heard yelling “no to military occupation”.
Morgan Taylor, one of the protest’s organisers said they were hoping to spark enough backlash to Trump’s actions to force the administration to pull back on its crime and immigration agenda.
“It’s hot, but I’m glad to be here. It’s good to see all these people out here,” she said. “I can’t believe that this is happening in this country at this time.”
Trump’s order, which he signed on Monday, declared an emergency due to the “city government’s failure to maintain public order”.
The 47th US president said it impeded the federal government’s ability to “operate efficiently to address the country’s broader interests without fear of our workers being subjected to rampant violence.”
Additional sources • AP
