Guard deployments escalate in Washington

Three Republican-led states send hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington as part of a broader federal crackdown on crime and homelessness.

Republican-led States Deploy Hundreds of National Guard Troops to Washington

West Virginia will send 300 to 400 National Guard members to Washington, while South Carolina will contribute 200 and Ohio will dispatch 150 in the coming days. The deployments follow a request from the Trump administration and mark a new step in the federal crackdown on crime and homelessness in Washington DC. President Donald Trump has backed a strategy that federalizes local police forces and expands the DC National Guard presence.

The moves add to the existing DC Guard and federal law enforcement presence as protesters gather and push back against what they see as federal overreach. Local officials have voiced concerns about the scale of the action and the impact on local governance and civil liberties.

The deployments signal a shift in how the federal government frames safety in the capital. Governors describe a partnership with the administration, while city leaders warn that the move could erode local control.

Public reaction mirrors a national divide. Supporters argue that more manpower is needed to restore order, while opponents warn of a slippery slope toward constant federal intervention in local affairs. The policy questions are not just about crime but about the balance of power between city and federal authorities.

Highlights

The capital remains a testing ground for power and principle.