Three Republican States Deploy National Guard Troops to DC as Trump Escalates Federal Takeover of Law Enforcement

In a significant development, the governors of West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio announced on Saturday that they would deploy National Guard troops to Washington D.C., intensifying President Donald Trump’s efforts to assume federal control over law enforcement in the city.

West Virginia is set to dispatch 300-400 National Guard personnel, while South Carolina will send 200 troops, and Ohio plans to contribute 150. The governors made these decisions in response to a request from the Trump administration, with the aim of making D.C. safer and more aesthetically pleasing.

According to a statement from West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey’s office, the deployment will be federally funded, and the state’s National Guard will provide essential equipment and training. A White House official explained that these troops would protect federal assets, create a secure environment for law enforcement officials, and act as a deterrent to crime.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster confirmed that the federal government will cover the costs of deploying his state’s troops. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated that he was asked by the Secretary of the Army to send 150 military police from the Ohio National Guard to support the District of Columbia National Guard, and these troops are expected to arrive in the capital in the near future.

The deployment of troops from multiple states represents an escalation of Trump’s efforts to address crime in the capital. The president has already announced the deployment of over 800 DC National Guard troops, a surge of federal agents onto the streets, and the federalization of D.C.’s police force. However, overall crime numbers this year are lower than in 2024.

Although the National Guard is not currently making arrests, a White House official stated that they may now be armed. CNN reported earlier in the week that guardsmen would likely have weapons readily available, such as in their trucks, for self-defense purposes if necessary. CNN has reached out to the DC National Guard for comment.

The number of federal agents patrolling the streets of D.C. has increased significantly following Trump’s declaration of a crime emergency. According to an internal Secret Service memo obtained by CNN, more than 700 federal law enforcement personnel from various agencies are supporting the effort daily, with this number expected to grow as more National Guard troops join the initiative.

Trump’s efforts to “beautify” the city also involve cracking down on homeless encampments. On Friday, 25 encampments were removed, marking the beginning of these sweeps, which started after several anxious days during which homeless residents and their allies waited to learn who would be targeted and which federal agencies would be involved.

However, White House officials’ plans to relocate homeless people to shelters or jails if they refuse to leave encampments have faced criticism from advocates, who argue that this would be unlawful, counterproductive, and costly, as it could disrupt existing efforts to move homeless people into shelters or permanent housing.

The announcement of additional troop deployments comes amid ongoing controversy over the takeover in the nation’s capital. Washington D.C. filed a lawsuit on Friday to block Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Thursday directive for the city to accept an “emergency police commissioner,” acting Drug Enforcement Administration chief Terry Cole, and give him 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. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has repeatedly expressed a desire to ensure that the federal law enforcement surge is beneficial to the city, although she has taken a more adversarial tone during recent events, characterizing Trump’s police department takeover as an “authoritarian push.”

Protesters in Washington D.C. confronted National Guard members parked near the White House on Saturday, chanting “Trump must go now” and surrounding the guard members and their military vehicle. The DC police created a barricade between protesters and the guard members to prevent any potential violence or escalation of tensions.

Some residents and critics have expressed concerns about the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington D.C., viewing it as a power grab and questioning whether it is necessary, given the city’s safety. Army veteran Alan Dent, a Rockville, Maryland resident, argued that “You should not deploy the National Guard on this soil for the purpose of intimidating a populace. That is not what they’re here for.”

This story has been updated with additional developments.