President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police force is expanding as three Republican governors deploy additional National Guard troops to the capital.
On Sunday, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the deployment of 200 and 150 troops respectively. Their statements echoed Trump’s message of tackling violent crime in the city.
Earlier, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey pledged 300 to 400 Guard members, saying the mission would “make D.C. safe and beautiful.” Together, the reinforcements will push the Guard presence in the capital to more than 1,000 personnel.
Trump first declared a “crime emergency” last week, seizing control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and sending 800 D.C. National Guard troops to patrol alongside federal officers. So far, deployed Guard units have been unarmed and have not made arrests, though reports suggest an order to carry weapons may soon come.
D.C. officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, have warned the takeover is creating “waves of anxiety” in the city. Critics say Trump is pushing the limits of the Home Rule Act, while the White House says the surge is necessary to deter crime.
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