Plans are underway within the U.S. military to mobilize National Guard forces within the boundaries of Washington D.C. in a strategic move aimed to support Trump administration’s campaign against city’s street crimes. Yet as of the early hours of Monday, the President’s endorsement for the official deployment had not yet been confirmed. A forthcoming news conference at the White House is anticipated to officially announce this development, wherein anywhere from a handful to a few hundred National Guard forces from within the capital’s District are slated to back local law enforcement. Detailed information regarding this proposition was scant as of Monday’s early hours.
Over the years, crime rates within Washington, D.C. have been tracing a downward sloping curve. Contrarily, the President’s perception is that the situation has escalated to being ‘absolutely disregulated’, even hinting at the possibility of federal intervention. Under this intervention, National Guard forces might be activated for aid, news of which came first from Reuters. Regardless, it remains unlikely that these troops will be endowed with arresting powers, but instead exist to augment the existing law enforcement authorities, potentially taking up patrols.
A key aspect of the Trump administration’s move to counter urban crime is the temporary reassignment of around 120 F.B.I. agents within Washington to serve nighttime patrol duties. These agents are mostly expected to be those currently overseeing responsibilities within the F.B.I.’s local field office in Washington. This coincides with the planned activation of National Guard troops in the vicinity of Washington, further cementing the government’s stern outlook towards bringing order in the city.
Flashback to this summer, a substantial deployment of nearly 5,000 National Guard soldiers was dispatched to Los Angeles following widespread protests provoked by immigration raids and also to provide protective support to the federal agents conducting these operations. However, most of these troops have since been recalled, with the remaining count standing at about 250.
During Mr. Trump’s first presidency term, he had previously invoked the powers of the National Guard forces as well as other federal law enforcement for the forcible evacuation of peaceful demonstraters, particularly against the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter protests triggered by the unfortunate police-inflicted demise of George Floyd in 2020.
Interestingly, the control of National Guard forces is different when it comes to the District of Columbia. Unlike the governor of a state, the District of Columbia doesn’t hold authority over its National Guard forces. This leaves the President with ample freedom to make decisions regarding the deployment of these troops within the city limits.
The post National Guard to Support in Washington D.C. Street Crimes appeared first on Real News Now.
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