Multiple Republican Governors To Send National Guard Troops To Washington D.C.

Three Republican governors announced they will send National Guard troops to Washington D.C. to support the effort to crack down on crime.

West Virginia will deploy 300 to 400 National Guard members, while South Carolina will send 200 and Ohio will send 150.

“At the request of the Trump administration, I have directed the @WVNationalGuard to support the President’s initiative to make D.C. safe and beautiful. We are deploying 300-400 skilled personnel to the nation’s capital, reflecting our commitment to a strong and secure America,” West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.

At the request of the Trump administration, I have directed the @WVNationalGuard to support the President’s initiative to make D.C. safe and beautiful. We are deploying 300-400 skilled personnel to the nation’s capital, reflecting our commitment to a strong and secure America.

— Patrick Morrisey (@MorriseyWV) August 16, 2025

“I’ve authorized the deployment of 200 S.C. National Guardsmen to support President Trump in his mission to restore law and order to our nation’s capital. The federal government will pay for this deployment under Title 32,” South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster said.

“Our National Guard will work to assist President Trump’s mission, and should a hurricane or natural disaster threaten our state, they can and will be immediately recalled home to respond,” he added.

I’ve authorized the deployment of 200 S.C. National Guardsmen to support President Trump in his mission to restore law and order to our nation’s capital. The federal government will pay for this deployment under Title 32. Our National Guard will work to assist President Trump’s…

— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) August 16, 2025

The moves followed President Trump’s issuance of an executive order to federalize local police forces and activate 800 National Guard troops.

POLITICO has more:

Federal law enforcement officers from a variety of agencies have been spotted at an increased frequency throughout the city in recent days, even as federal agencies maintain a visible presence yearround.

On Friday night, officers with Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Marshals were patrolling U Street, the popular D.C. nightlife area, according to social media posts.

Homeless encampments have also begun being cleared throughout the city, including in Foggy Bottom — which is home to The George Washington University and the State Department — and near the Kennedy Center. Trump has vowed to move homeless people “FAR from the Capital” as part of the takeover.

“This initiative aligns with our values of service and dedication to our communities,” said West Virginia Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Jim Seward, who will oversee the troops.

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In a lengthy statement Friday night, Bowser attempted to ease Washington residents’ concerns, while remaining diplomatic.

“I know that if we keep sticking together, we will make it to the other side of this,” she wrote, “we will make future generations of Washingtonians proud, and 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.”

“We have been 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,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

“These Ohio National Guard members will carry out presence patrols and serve as added security,” he added.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine orders 150 National Guard members to DC as states send troops https://t.co/J7YXN9xAjU

— Columbus Dispatch (@DispatchAlerts) August 17, 2025

The Columbus Dispatch provided additional info:

U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes told the Justice Department on Aug. 15 to rewrite Attorney General Pam Bondi’s order so that federal officials would order the mayor to make changes in policing, which the law says the mayor “shall” do, rather than directly control police officers.

Reyes said she couldn’t decide on other issues in DC’s lawsuit against the Trump administration until after collecting evidence at a hearing next week.

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