Georgia, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana will join the efforts of three other Republican states to send National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., for President Donald Trump’s law enforcement efforts.
Gov. Tate Reeves (R-MS) said in a social media post that he has authorized the deployment of around 200 National Guard troops to Washington.
“Crime is out of control there, and it’s clear something must be done to combat it. Americans deserve a safe capital city that we can all be proud of,” he wrote. “I know the brave men and women of our National Guard will do an excellent job enhancing public safety and supporting law enforcement.”
Tennessee and Louisiana followed suit later Monday evening, with Gov. Jeff Landry (R-LA) announcing that he was deploying 135 National Guard troops to the capital to assist Trump’s “mission of restoring safety and peace in our nation’s capital.”
“We are a nation of law and order. Our capital is a reflection of our nation’s respect, beauty, and standards. We cannot allow our cities to be overcome by violence and lawlessness. I am proud to support this mission to return safety and sanity to Washington, D.C., and cities all across our country, including right here in Louisiana,” he said.
About 160 soldiers from the Tennessee National Guard are deploying to Washington in support of Trump’s mission, a move hinted at by Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) the week prior.
“I talked to the secretary of the Army, and he indicated that they would potentially be reaching out to states, and I told them we would be willing to obviously work with them on whatever they need,” he said. “The request of interest was made, and I expressed interest.”
The National Guard deployment supports Trump’s federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department and several other federal law enforcement agencies around the district. Trump declared a “crime emergency” in Washington last week to take control of the MPD.
Crime in Washington had reached lows in recent years, but Trump has claimed the district is “one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world.”
The three states join several other red states in deploying National Guard troops to support the about 800 D.C. National Guard soldiers.
Georgia
Gov. Brian Kemp (R-GA) authorized 300 National Guard troops to deploy to Washington, D.C., on September 5 to support President Donald Trump’s anti-crime initiative in the country’s capital.
The Georgia servicemembers are scheduled to mobilize in mid-September and will be on active duty in Washington “shortly thereafter,” according to a press release from Kemp’s office.
“Georgia is proud to stand with the Trump administration in its mission to ensure the security and beauty of our nation’s capital,” the Georgia governor said in a statement. “We share a commitment to upholding public safety and are grateful to these brave Guardsmen and women, for the families that support them, and for their dedication to service above self. As they have demonstrated again and again, our Georgia Guard is well equipped to fulfill both this mission and its obligations to the people of our state.”
West Virginia
Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R-WV) said last weekend that up to 400 National Guard troops from his state would deploy to Washington.
“West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital,” Morrisey said in a press release. “The men and women of our National Guard represent the best of our state, and this mission reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America.”
The soldiers would be deployed “as a show of commitment to public safety and regional cooperation,” according to the governor’s office.
Ohio
Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll asked Ohio to send 150 of its National Guard troops on Aug 15, and Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) complied, saying he believed it was the “right thing to do.”
“The initial decision to deploy D.C. National Guard was not my decision. That was the president of the United States’ decision,” DeWine said. “But when the Secretary of the Army asks for backup support to our troops that are already deployed, yes, we will back up our troops.”
He said the way his National Guard soldiers would be deployed is consistent with past standards. He added that soldiers would not make arrests and would coordinate with D.C. police.
South Carolina
South Carolina deployed 200 National Guardsmen to Washington last weekend to “support federal law enforcement activities.”
“South Carolina is proud to stand with President Trump as he works to restore law and order to our nation’s capital and ensure safety for all who live, work, and visit there,” Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC) said in a statement.
NATIONAL GUARD MOBILIZES IN DC FOR TRUMP’S POLICE TAKEOVER AND CRIME CRACKDOWN
He noted that the National Guard personnel can be recalled in the case of a natural disaster.
As our National Guard works to support President Trump’s mission, should a hurricane or natural disaster threaten our state, these men and women can and will be immediately recalled home to respond,” he said.
