Multiple Republican Governors Deploy National Guard Troops to DC in Escalation of Trump’s Law Enforcement Takeover Efforts

Governors from West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee have announced plans to deploy National Guard troops to Washington D.C., escalating President Trump’s attempts to federally manage law enforcement in the city.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has approved approximately 135 National Guard troops for deployment, while Mississippi is sending around 200 members. Tennessee will dispatch about 160 guard members this week, according to a statement from Governor Bill Lee’s office.

Over the weekend, West Virginia’s governor indicated that his state would send 300-400 National Guard troops to Washington D.C., and South Carolina authorized the deployment of 200 troops. Ohio plans to send 150 troops as well.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced on social media that his state’s troops would support President Trump’s initiative to ensure safety and beautify the nation’s capital. The efforts will be federally funded, with the state’s National Guard providing essential equipment and training.

A White House official stated that West Virginia troops will protect federal assets, create a secure environment for law enforcement officials, and deter crime.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed reservations about the additional states’ troops, stating that they might not be addressing DC crime. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster confirmed that the federal government will cover the cost of his state’s troops’ deployment.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated he was asked to send 150 military police from the Ohio National Guard to support the District of Columbia National Guard. These troops are expected to arrive in Washington D.C. in the coming days and will conduct presence patrols and serve as additional security.

DC Mayor Bowser’s office declined comment on the deployment of additional National Guard troops over the weekend, but she posted on her personal social media account that “American soldiers and airmen policing American citizens on American soil is #UnAmerican.”

The deployment of other states’ troops marks an escalation in Trump’s efforts to address crime in the capital. Previously, the president announced the deployment of over 800 DC National Guard troops, the surge of federal agents onto the streets, and the federalization of DC’s police force. Despite the president’s repeated complaints about rising crime in DC, overall crime numbers are lower this year than in 2024.

Though not making arrests at present, a White House official stated that troops may now be armed. CNN reported earlier in the week that guard members would likely have weapons nearby for self-defense purposes if needed. CNN has reached out to the DC National Guard for comment.

The number of federal agents patrolling the streets of DC following Trump’s declaration of a crime emergency has increased significantly, according to an internal Secret Service memo obtained by CNN.

Secret Service Director Sean Curran stated in a message to personnel that over 700 federal law enforcement personnel from multiple agencies are supporting the effort daily, with this number expected to increase as more National Guard troops join the safe streets initiative.

Trump’s efforts to “beautify the city” also include cracking down on homeless encampments. On Friday, 25 encampments were removed, according to a White House official. Sweeps began Wednesday after anxious days during which homeless residents and their allies waited to see who would be targeted and which federal agencies would be involved.

White House officials plan to send homeless people to shelters or jails if they refuse to leave encampments. However, advocates argue this would be unlawful, counterproductive, and costly by disrupting existing efforts to move homeless people into shelters or permanent housing.

DC Councilmember Robert White was startled by West Virginia sending in troops, stating on CNN Newsroom that Trump is breaching democratic norms and hinting at potential similar moves in other cities.

Meanwhile, protesters confronted National Guard members parked near the White House on Saturday. “Trump must go now,” they chanted as they surrounded the guard members and their military vehicle. Using bicycles, DC police created a barricade between protesters and the guard members. CNN did not witness any violence during the confrontation, though tensions rose as some protesters shouted insults and profanities at law enforcement.

Army veteran Alan Dent, a Rockville, Maryland resident, argued that Trump’s deployment of the National Guard amounts to a “power grab” and expressed concern for the troops, stating they are not there for intimidation purposes.

The announcement of additional troop deployments comes amid scrutiny over the takeover in Washington D.C. DC sued the Trump administration on Friday to block Attorney General Pam Bondi’s directive for the city to accept an “emergency police commissioner,” acting Drug Enforcement Administration chief Terry Cole, and give him full control of the department during the federal takeover.

Following a hearing in federal court, Bondi issued a new order on Friday giving control of the Metropolitan Police Department back to its chief, Pamela Smith. Bowser, the city’s Democratic mayor, has repeatedly stated that she wants to ensure the federal law enforcement surge is useful to the city but struck a more adversarial tone during an event this week, calling Trump’s police department takeover an “authoritarian push.”