South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster announced on 16/8, "I have activated 200 South Carolina national guard troops to assist President Donald Trump in his mission to restore law and order to our nation's capital. The federal government will fund this deployment." He added that the troops would be immediately recalled if South Carolina faced a natural disaster or state emergency.
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US national guard troops on the streets of Washington DC on 16/8. Photo: AP |
US national guard troops on the streets of Washington DC on 16/8. Photo: AP
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey had previously announced the deployment of 300 to 400 national guard troops to Washington DC once the federal government took over the capital's police force.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine also announced the deployment of approximately 150 national guard troops to the capital.
The national guard is the reserve military force of the US armed forces. Each state and territory has its own national guard units under the direct command of the governor. The US president can also mobilize the national guard for federal duties during wartime or national emergencies.
Washington DC is typically under the control of the District of Columbia government, overseen by the US Congress. However, on 11/8, President Trump declared a public safety emergency in Washington, invoking Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to deploy federal forces and the national guard to the city. Around 800 national guard troops were already present in Washington.
Federal law allows President Trump to control the Washington DC police force for 30 days. Any extension requires congressional approval, which could potentially be blocked by the Democratic Party.
Ngoc Anh (Hill, Reuters, ABC)
