On August 16 (local time), the three states of West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio decided to deploy hundreds of soldiers from the National Guard to Washington D.C at the request of the Trump administration. Mr. Trump, a Republican, said the capital is facing a crisis of crime and housing.
The decision comes just a day after the Washington, D.C., government and the White House reached an agreement to keep Pamela Smith as Chief of Staff, despite Chief Justice Brian Schwalb's efforts to prevent the federal government from taking over the city's police department.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said he would deploy 300 to 400 soldiers with special equipment and training. From South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster announced the deployment of 200 soldiers at the request of the Pentagon.
In Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine said he would send 150 military police, stressing that none of these are currently serving in state law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Washington Mayor D.C Muriel Bowser strongly criticized, calling the involvement of US soldiers in civil supervision on US territory un-American. Data from the US Department of Justice shows that the rate of violent crimes in Washington D.C in 2024 has dropped to a 30-year low, contrary to Mr. Trump's assessment of the crisis.
A White House official said the move was aimed at protecting federal assets, creating a safe environment for law enforcement to carry out their duties and deter criminals. The National Guard soldiers are currently patrolling the National Mall and Union Station, have not yet arrested them but may be armed.
Trump previously deployed 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guardsmen to Los Angeles amid immigration protests, despite opposition from the California Governor. The move in Washington, D.C, continues to raise concerns that Trump wants to expand presidential power in his second term, including interveneing in Democratic-controlled cities.
