Trump Issues Executive Decree to Develop Units within the National Guard for Urban Crime Operations
Last week, troops from several GOP-led states began arriving in the nation's capital, marking a significant deployment under the command of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The U.S. states that sent National Guard troops include West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio.
Hegseth's executive order charges each State's Army National Guard and Air National Guard with being resourced, trained, organized, and available to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances. This order marks a shift in guidance from the Pentagon, which had previously indicated that National Guard members could be armed only if the circumstances warranted.
As of Sunday morning, there were 2,274 National Guardsmen on the mission, more than 1,300 of them from supporting states. In response to concerns about the troops carrying weapons, it was announced last week that National Guard members deployed in Washington, D.C. would start carrying sidearms, with some troops carrying M4 rifles, while military police will primarily use a M17 handgun. However, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Democrat from Illinois, has objected to this possibility.
The tasks for the National Guard in D.C. are expected to include painting over graffiti, picking up trash, and removing driftwood from the Tidal Basin, as part of the "coordinated beautification plan" directed by President Donald Trump's executive order signed in March, "Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful."
President Trump has suggested he may deploy National Guard troops to other cities, such as Chicago, with "less than 24 hours' notice," but he has stated that he'd wait until governors request National Guard troops before ordering deployments to address crime. Trump left the door open to asking Congress to codify the action expanding the National Guard's remit.
In a week beginning August 12, the first full day the Trump administration had control of the Metropolitan Police Department, the city saw a moderate drop in reported crime. However, a far larger surge in arrests of immigrants was found in that same week, according to a CNN analysis of government data.
Additionally, a standing quick reaction force is to be established, available for rapid nationwide deployment. Hegseth is ordered to designate an appropriate number of each State's trained National Guard members to be readily available for rapid mobilization.
Trump signed an executive order on Monday, tasking Hegseth with establishing specialized units in the National Guard for public order issues. The President suggested he'd ask Congress to codify the action expanding the National Guard's remit.
The deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. is also expected to begin assisting with the "beautification" of the city this week. The troops are expected to contribute to the removal of graffiti, ensuring cleanliness of public spaces, and other similar tasks.
This deployment comes amidst ongoing discussions and debates about the role of the National Guard in maintaining public order and the balance between security and civil liberties.
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