Photo: Alamy
Three Republican-led states announced Saturday they are deploying National Guard members to Washington, D.C., in support of President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of the city’s police and security operations.
West Virginia said it would send 300 to 400 troops, South Carolina pledged 200 and Ohio committed 150 military police in the coming days.
The reinforcements mark a significant expansion of Trump’s intervention in the nation’s capital, which began earlier last week when the president federalized the Metropolitan Police Department and activated about 800 members of the D.C. National Guard.
“West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital,” Gov. Patrick Morrisey said in a statement.
South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster authorized 200 Guardsmen at the Pentagon’s request but noted they would be recalled if a hurricane or natural disaster struck his state.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said 150 Guard members would conduct “presence patrols and serve as added security” after a request from Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
The additional forces come as federal officers and Guard units spread out across the city to assist with crowd control, patrols and security at high-traffic landmarks such as Union Station and the National Mall.
Demonstrations have continued against Trump’s action, including a march Saturday from Dupont Circle to the White House. Protesters carried signs reading “No fascist takeover of D.C.” and “No military occupation.”
Local leaders have objected to the scope of the president’s actions but are required under federal law to comply. On Monday, Trump declared a public emergency in the district, saying the city’s leadership had failed to maintain order. He argued that the disorder threatened the federal government’s ability to operate safely.
City officials have resisted some measures. The Justice Department backed off a plan to appoint the Drug Enforcement Administration’s chief as “emergency police commissioner” after the district’s top attorney sued. Attorney General Pam Bondi later directed the Metropolitan Police Department to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement despite local laws restricting such collaboration.