Latest news with #WestVirginiaNationalGuard
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
More than 700 National Guard troops from 3 GOP-led states will be deployed to DC to bolster Trump crackdown
Three Republican-led states will be deploying hundreds of National Guard members to Washington, DC, to bolster President Trump's crackdown on crime and homelessness in the nation's capital. West Virginia will be sending up to 400 troops, South Carolina has pledged 200 and Ohio will dispatch 150 in the coming days, the three states announced on Saturday. 'We stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region and contribute to the collective effort of making our nation's capital a clean and safe environment,' Maj. Gen. Jim Seward of the West Virginia National Guard said. The Mountain State's governor, Patrick Morrisey, added: 'West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital,' adding that the mission 'reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America.' Three Republican-run states are sending an additional 750 National Guard personnel to Washington DC. AP South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster announced the deployment of 200 National Guard personnel from the Palmetto State to DC, but said the troops could be recalled in the event of a major national disaster such as a hurricane. He said the deployment was part of Trump's efforts to restore law and order in Washington, and in response to a request from the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, meanwhile, said he was sending 150 military police officers to support the DC National Guard. It follows protests in the capital on Saturday. Getty Images 'These Ohio National Guard members will carry out presence patrols and serve as added security,' he said in a statement. None of the members — who are expected to arrive in DC within the coming days — are currently serving as law enforcement officers within the Buckeye State, DeWine said. The deployments of 750 troops from the three states would bring the total number of National Guard personnel within the capital to over 1,450. So far, National Guard members have played a limited role in the federal intervention. Troops have been spotted patrolling landmarks such as the National Mall and Union Station, as well as assisting law enforcement with tasks such as crowd control. With Post wires
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
West Virginia to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to D.C.
Hundreds of West Virginia National Guard members will deploy across the nation's capital as part of the Trump administration's effort to overhaul policing in the District of Columbia through a federal crackdown on crime and homelessness. The move comes as federal agents and National Guard troops have begun to appear across the heavily Democratic city after President Trump's executive order on Monday, federalizing local police forces and activating about 800 D.C. National Guard troops. Republican West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced Saturday that he was sending a contingent of 300 to 400 members. "West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital," Morrisey said. By adding outside troops to join the existing National Guard deployment and federal law enforcement officers temporarily assigned to Washington, Mr. Trump is exercising even tighter control over the city. It's a power play that the president has justified as an emergency response to crime and homelessness, even though district officials have noted that violent crime is lower than it was during Trump's first term in office. A White House official told CBS News Saturday that National Guard members deployed to D.C. "may be armed," but that they would not make arrests. This was a reversal from earlier in the week, when a Defense Department official told CBS News that deployed Guard members would not be armed at the request of local law enforcement partners. The official also said at the time they would not have weapons in their vehicles. "The National Guard is not making arrests at this time – they may be armed, consistent with their mission and training, to protect federal assets, provide a safe environment for law enforcement officers to make arrests, and deter violent crime with a visible law enforcement presence," the White House official said Saturday. A protest against Mr. Trump's intervention drew scores to Dupont Circle on Saturday afternoon before a march to the White House, about 1.5 miles away. Demonstrators assembled behind a banner that said "No fascist takeover of D.C.," and some in the crowd held signs that said "No military occupation." Mr. Trump was at his Virginia golf club after Friday's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The West Virginia activation also suggests the administration sees the need for additional manpower after the president personally played down the need for Washington to hire more police officers. Maj. Gen. James Seward, West Virginia's adjutant general, said in a statement that members of the state's National Guard "stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region" and that the Guard's "unique capabilities and preparedness make it an invaluable partner in this important undertaking." Federal agents have appeared in some of the city's most highly trafficked neighborhoods, garnering a mix of praise, pushback and alarm from local residents and leaders across the country. City leaders, who are obliged to cooperate with the president's order under the federal laws that direct the district's local governance, have sought to work with the administration, though they have bristled at the scope of the president's takeover. On Friday, the administration reversed course on an order that aimed to place the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as an "emergency police commissioner" after the district's top lawyer sued to contest. After a court hearing, Attorney General Pam Bond issued a memo that directed the Metropolitan Police Department to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law. District officials say they are evaluating how to best comply. In his order on Monday, Mr. Trump declared an emergency due to the "city government's failure to maintain public order." He said that impeded the "federal government's ability to operate efficiently to address the nation's broader interests without fear of our workers being subjected to rampant violence." In a letter to city residents, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, wrote that "our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now." She added that if Washingtonians stick together, "we will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy — even when we don't have full access to it." Air Canada flight attendants' strike grounds hundreds of planes West Virginia sending National Guard troops to D.C. at Trump's request War-weary Ukrainians desperate for a ceasefire Solve the daily Crossword
Rhyl Journal
3 days ago
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
State sends National Guard members to Washington at Trump team's request
The move by a nearby state comes as hundreds of District of Columbia National Guard were activated this week to back up local law enforcement in what the Republican administration calls an effort to crack down on crime and homelessness in the District of Columbia. Governor Patrick Morrisey said in a post on Saturday on X that he was deploying '300-400 skilled personnel' from the West Virginia National Guard to support Mr Trump's 'initiative to make DC safe and beautiful'. Mr Morrisey said the step reflects 'our commitment to a strong and secure America'. They will arrive in the District of Columbia along with equipment and specialised training services, his office said in a statement. 'West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital,' Mr Morrisey said. '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 move comes as federal agents and National Guard troops have begun to appear across the heavily Democratic city after Mr Trump's executive order on Monday federalising local police forces and activating about 800 DC National Guard troops for his plan. Maj Gen James Seward, West Virginia's adjutant general, said in a statement that members of the state's National Guard 'stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region' and that the Guard's 'unique capabilities and preparedness make it an invaluable partner in this important undertaking.' Federal agents have appeared in some of the city's most highly trafficked neighbourhoods, garnering praise, pushback and alarm from local residents and leaders across the country. City leaders, who are obliged to co-operate with the president's order under the federal laws that direct the district's local governance, have sought to work with the administration though have bristled at the scope of the president's takeover. On Friday the administration reversed course on an order that aimed to place the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as an 'emergency police commissioner' after the district's top lawyer sued to contest. After a court hearing, Mr Trump's attorney general, Pam Bondi, issued a memo that directed the Metropolitan Police Department to co-operate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law. District officials say they are evaluating how to best comply. In his order Monday, Mr Trump declared an emergency because of the 'city government's failure to maintain public order'. He said that impeded the 'federal government's ability to operate efficiently to address the nation's broader interests without fear of our workers being subjected to rampant violence.' In a letter to city residents, Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, wrote that 'our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now'. She added that if Washingtonians stick together, 'we will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy – even when we don't have full access to it'. A protest against Mr Trump's intervention drew scores of people to Dupont Circle on Saturday afternoon before a march to the White House, about one and a half miles away. Demonstrators assembled behind a banner that said 'No fascist takeover of DC' and some in the crowd held signs that said 'No military occupation'. Mr Trump was at his Virginia golf club after Friday's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
State sends National Guard members to Washington at Trump team's request
The move by a nearby state comes as hundreds of District of Columbia National Guard were activated this week to back up local law enforcement in what the Republican administration calls an effort to crack down on crime and homelessness in the District of Columbia. Governor Patrick Morrisey said in a post on Saturday on X that he was deploying '300-400 skilled personnel' from the West Virginia National Guard to support Mr Trump's 'initiative to make DC safe and beautiful'. Mr Morrisey said the step reflects 'our commitment to a strong and secure America'. They will arrive in the District of Columbia along with equipment and specialised training services, his office said in a statement. 'West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital,' Mr Morrisey said. '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 move comes as federal agents and National Guard troops have begun to appear across the heavily Democratic city after Mr Trump's executive order on Monday federalising local police forces and activating about 800 DC National Guard troops for his plan. Maj Gen James Seward, West Virginia's adjutant general, said in a statement that members of the state's National Guard 'stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region' and that the Guard's 'unique capabilities and preparedness make it an invaluable partner in this important undertaking.' Federal agents have appeared in some of the city's most highly trafficked neighbourhoods, garnering praise, pushback and alarm from local residents and leaders across the country. City leaders, who are obliged to co-operate with the president's order under the federal laws that direct the district's local governance, have sought to work with the administration though have bristled at the scope of the president's takeover. On Friday the administration reversed course on an order that aimed to place the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as an 'emergency police commissioner' after the district's top lawyer sued to contest. US Attorney General Pam Bondi (Mark Schiefelbein/AP) After a court hearing, Mr Trump's attorney general, Pam Bondi, issued a memo that directed the Metropolitan Police Department to co-operate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law. District officials say they are evaluating how to best comply. In his order Monday, Mr Trump declared an emergency because of the 'city government's failure to maintain public order'. He said that impeded the 'federal government's ability to operate efficiently to address the nation's broader interests without fear of our workers being subjected to rampant violence.' In a letter to city residents, Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, wrote that 'our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now'. She added that if Washingtonians stick together, 'we will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy – even when we don't have full access to it'. Police watch as activists carrying signs march to the White House to protest against Donald Trump's federal takeover of policing of the District of Columbia (Alex Brandon/AP) A protest against Mr Trump's intervention drew scores of people to Dupont Circle on Saturday afternoon before a march to the White House, about one and a half miles away. Demonstrators assembled behind a banner that said 'No fascist takeover of DC' and some in the crowd held signs that said 'No military occupation'. Mr Trump was at his Virginia golf club after Friday's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
South Wales Guardian
3 days ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
State sends National Guard members to Washington at Trump team's request
The move by a nearby state comes as hundreds of District of Columbia National Guard were activated this week to back up local law enforcement in what the Republican administration calls an effort to crack down on crime and homelessness in the District of Columbia. Governor Patrick Morrisey said in a post on Saturday on X that he was deploying '300-400 skilled personnel' from the West Virginia National Guard to support Mr Trump's 'initiative to make DC safe and beautiful'. Mr Morrisey said the step reflects 'our commitment to a strong and secure America'. They will arrive in the District of Columbia along with equipment and specialised training services, his office said in a statement. 'West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital,' Mr Morrisey said. '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 move comes as federal agents and National Guard troops have begun to appear across the heavily Democratic city after Mr Trump's executive order on Monday federalising local police forces and activating about 800 DC National Guard troops for his plan. Maj Gen James Seward, West Virginia's adjutant general, said in a statement that members of the state's National Guard 'stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region' and that the Guard's 'unique capabilities and preparedness make it an invaluable partner in this important undertaking.' Federal agents have appeared in some of the city's most highly trafficked neighbourhoods, garnering praise, pushback and alarm from local residents and leaders across the country. City leaders, who are obliged to co-operate with the president's order under the federal laws that direct the district's local governance, have sought to work with the administration though have bristled at the scope of the president's takeover. On Friday the administration reversed course on an order that aimed to place the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as an 'emergency police commissioner' after the district's top lawyer sued to contest. After a court hearing, Mr Trump's attorney general, Pam Bondi, issued a memo that directed the Metropolitan Police Department to co-operate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law. District officials say they are evaluating how to best comply. In his order Monday, Mr Trump declared an emergency because of the 'city government's failure to maintain public order'. He said that impeded the 'federal government's ability to operate efficiently to address the nation's broader interests without fear of our workers being subjected to rampant violence.' In a letter to city residents, Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, wrote that 'our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now'. She added that if Washingtonians stick together, 'we will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy – even when we don't have full access to it'. A protest against Mr Trump's intervention drew scores of people to Dupont Circle on Saturday afternoon before a march to the White House, about one and a half miles away. Demonstrators assembled behind a banner that said 'No fascist takeover of DC' and some in the crowd held signs that said 'No military occupation'. Mr Trump was at his Virginia golf club after Friday's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
