West Virginia deploys National Guard to Washington
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) said Saturday that National Guard troops from his state would aid the Trump administration's federal police takeover in Washington to help "make D.C. safe and beautiful."
Morrisey announced the Mountain State would deploy "300-400 skilled personnel" to serve in the nation's capital at the Trump administration's request.
"West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital,” the governor said in a press release. “The men and women of our National Guard represent the best of our state, and this mission reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America.”
Trump earlier this week invoked a provision in Washington's Home Rule Act to launch a crackdown on crime in the district, deploying more than 800 National Guard soldiers and federal officers to patrol the streets of D.C.
West Virginia Maj. Gen. James Seward told The Hill's sister network NewsNation that the mission "aligns with our values of service and dedication to our communities."
“We stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region and contribute to the collective effort of making our nation’s capital a clean and safe environment," Seward continued. "The National Guard’s unique capabilities and preparedness make it an invaluable partner in this important undertaking."
The White House also celebrated the addition of troops.
“The National Guard will protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime,” a White House senior official said of the West Virginia National Guard deployment, per NewsNation.
Trump administration officials touted in recent days that hundreds have been arrested, and dozens of firearms seized since the federal takeover.
The Justice Department's (DOJ) decision to name Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief Terry Cole as the Metropolitan Police Department's (MPD) "emergency police commissioner" was also heavily criticized as an overreach of the law. DOJ has since walked back the designation after D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb sued the administration.
Trump told reporters earlier this week that he hopes to ramp up operations in the district and announced plans to work with Congress to extend the 30-day takeover allotted in the standing law.
Amid the controversy, D.C. Mayor Bowser (D) has sought to calm tensions among local residents, who have protested the administration's show of force.
“It has been an unsettling and unprecedented week in our city. Over the course of a week, the surge in federal law enforcement across DC has created waves of anxiety,” she wrote in an open letter. “I was born one year before Home Rule became law, and while our autonomy has been challenged before, our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now.”
“My jobs are many right now. Part of my job is just managing us through this crisis and making sure that our government continues to operate in a way that makes DC residents proud," she added.