West Virginia sends hundreds of National Guard members to Washington at Trump team’s request

As part of the Trump administration’s federal assault on homelessness and crime, hundreds of West Virginia National Guard men will deploy throughout the nation’s capital to restructure policing in the District of Columbia.

The action follows Trump’s executive order on Monday that federalized local police forces and activated approximately 800 D.C. National Guard troops, which has resulted in the appearance of federal agents and National Guard troops throughout the overwhelmingly Democratic city.

President Donald Trump is further tightening his hold on Washington by temporarily assigning federal law enforcement agents to the city and bringing in foreign troops to supplement the current National Guard presence. The president has defended this power grab as an emergency response to homelessness and crime, despite district authorities pointing out that violent crime has decreased compared to Trump’s first term.

Before a march to the White House, which is around 1.5 miles away, hundreds of people gathered in Dupont Circle on Saturday afternoon to condemn Trump’s intervention. Some of the demonstrators held signs that read “No military occupation,” while others gathered behind a banner that read, “No fascist takeover of D.C.” Following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, Trump was at his golf club in Virginia.

Governor Patrick Morrisey, a Republican from West Virginia, declared on Saturday that he would be sending between 300 and 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 stated.

One of the organizers of Saturday’s demonstration, Morgan Taylor, stated that they hoped to generate enough criticism of Trump’s policies to compel the administration to rescind its immigration and crime policies.

“I’m happy to be here despite the heat. “I’m glad to see everyone out here,” she remarked. “I can’t believe that this is happening in this country at this time.”

She continued, “Any act of getting in the streets, any act of making noise, any act of showing a sense of community, taking care of one another, is an act of resistance.”

After the president downplayed the necessity for Washington to hire more police officers, the activation in West Virginia also indicates that the administration recognizes the need for extra personnel.

According to a statement from West Virginia’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. James Seward, the state’s National Guard “stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region” and the Guard’s “unique capabilities and preparedness make it an invaluable partner in this important undertaking.”

Locals and national officials have expressed a mixture of appreciation, opposition, and concern in response to federal officers showing up in some of the city’s busiest neighborhoods.

Although they have objected to the extent of the president’s takeover, city officials have attempted to collaborate with the administration as required by federal rules that control the district’s local governance.

An order intended to designate the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration as a “emergency police commissioner” was modified by the administration on Friday after the district’s top attorney filed a lawsuit to challenge it. Following a court hearing, Pam Bond, Trump’s attorney general, sent out a memo instructing the MPD to work with federal immigration enforcement regardless of local ordinances.

According to district officials, they are assessing the best way to comply.

Trump issued an emergency proclamation on Monday, citing the “city government’s failure to maintain public order.” He claimed that hindered 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.”

Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser wrote in a message to city dwellers that “our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now.” If Washingtonians remain united, she continued, “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.”