Ohio governor says sending National Guard to D.C. 'the right thing to do'
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Gov. Mike DeWine says it's the "right thing to do" to send 150 Ohio National Guard members to Washington, D.C., as President Donald Trump deploys troops and seizes control of the city's Metropolitan Police Department.
Trump announced on Aug. 11 that he would deploy National Guard troops to Washington to crack down on crime in the nation's capital. Late Aug. 15, Secretary of the Army Daniel P. Driscoll asked DeWine, a two-term Republican, to send military police to D.C.
"The initial decision to deploy D.C. National Guard was not my decision. That was the president of the United States' decision," DeWine told the USA TODAY Network's Ohio statehouse bureau. "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."
DeWine is one of three Republican governors who said they'll send additional troops, Reuters reported.
Ohio state House Democrats are calling on DeWine to bring the Ohio National Guard home.
'Ohio's National Guard exists to protect and serve Ohioans and other Americans in moments of true crisis. When disasters like floods, storms, or community emergencies happen here at home, they're there to rebuild," said Ohio state House Minority Leader Dani Isaacsohn, a Democrat from Cincinnati. "Their mission is helping Ohioans, not serving as props in a president's political theatre."
But DeWine says his decision, which was optional, is consistent with how he's deployed the Ohio National Guard in the past.
More: DeWine ordered National Guard troops to assist in DC. What to know about Trump's plan
What will the Ohio National Guard do in D.C.?
The Ohio National Guard will patrol Washington, D.C., and protect federal buildings, DeWine said.
"If in doing a patrol or if in standing guard of a federal building, an arrest has to be made, our guard will be in direct contact with the D.C. police department who will make arrests," DeWine said. "Our people won't make the arrests."
How long will the Ohio National Guard be in the nation's capital?
The Ohio National Guard will leave Aug. 20 for a 30-day deployment, DeWine said. The secretary of the Army could ask for an extension, which DeWine could grant or deny.
How often does DeWine deploy the Ohio National Guard?
DeWine deployed Ohio National Guard members and Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers to the southern border in 2021. He also sent members to assist with hurricane recovery in Florida, North Carolina and Louisiana.
In 2020, DeWine sent the National Guard to Columbus and Cleveland to respond to protests following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. In both instances, mayors requested help.
The Ohio National Guard played a key role in Ohio's COVID-19 response and assisted with the aftermath of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023.
Is the D.C. deployment different?
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser didn't ask for help with the city's violent crime rate, which declined 35% between 2023 and 2024. Attorneys for the District of Columbia are suing the Trump administration over its police takeover.
DeWine says that doesn't matter, legally.
"The people who don't like it in D.C. don't have the authority. The president of the United States has that authority," DeWine said. "Anybody can argue whether or not he should or shouldn't have the authority, but it's very clear. There is no debate he has the authority to do what he did."
But Democrats say the deployment is political. Rep. Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, said in a statement: "The men and women of Ohio's National Guard signed up to serve their country, not a lawless president who has repeatedly ignored our nation's constitution and principles."
Is sending the National Guard optional?
It depends. Typically, governors control the National Guard within their states. The federal government can request assistance from state National Guard members, which governors can approve or reject. That is the case with Secretary Driscoll's request for Ohio National Guard assistance in D.C.
"The law is not a blank check allowing the president to use military forces anywhere in the country and for any purpose so long as they can find one willing governor," according to a Brennan Center for Justice analysis.
In certain circumstances, presidents can federalize the National Guard by invoking the Insurrection Act. But this is rare.
Earlier this year, Trump deployed the California National Guard to respond to protests over immigration enforcement − against the wishes of California Gov. Gavin Newsom. An appeals court ruled that Trump could retain control of the troops while a judge reviews the legality of Trump's decision.
Will the Ohio National Guard be deployed to Cincinnati?
DeWine said he's received no requests to deploy the Ohio National Guard to Cincinnati, where a viral brawl led to debates about the city's security, and has no plans to deploy them.
DeWine instead offered other help to Cincinnati officials that included traffic enforcement and aviation surveillance. "They've taken me up on part of it, but not all of it," DeWine said. "But that's their choice. They have the choice."
USA TODAY contributed to this article.
State government reporter Jessie Balmert can be reached at jbalmert@gannett.com or @jbalmert on X.
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