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The Governors of South Carolina, West Virginia, and Ohio have authorized the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, DC, in support of President Trump’s federal initiative to restore “law and order” in the capital.

Some shit you should know before you read: Earlier this week, President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, DC, citing what he described as an urgent need to combat rising violent crime and restore public safety in the nation’s capital. He argued that the city was “under siege from violent crime,” calling the situation a “national disgrace,” and claimed that citizens, workers, and visitors could no longer be in DC safely. As part of this effort, Trump invoked a provision of the Home Rule Act to take federal control of the DC police department. DC officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and members of the city council, strongly opposed the move, pointing to statistics showing that violent crime in the District is down 30% from 2023, marking the lowest rate in over 30 years. However, Trump and the DC police union president have rejected those figures, arguing they are unreliable. Their skepticism is fueled by a scandal earlier this summer, when a senior commander in the Metropolitan Police Department was placed on leave for allegedly manipulating crime data to make the city appear safer than it was.

What’s going on now: The deployments by the three states are coming at the request of the Pentagon’s National Guard Bureau and will be funded under Title 32, meaning the federal government will cover the cost while the states retain command over their troops. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster authorized 200 guardsmen, noting they could be recalled immediately if a natural disaster like Hurricane Erin threatened the state. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced the deployment of 300 to 400 troops, calling it a show of support for a “strong and secure America.”

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine approved sending 150 troops, stating they will provide security at key locations such as Union Station and national landmarks. The governors framed the deployments as necessary to assist federal efforts to reestablish public safety in the District.

Once deployed, the National Guard units will support an expanded federal law enforcement presence that includes agents from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Their role will include protecting federal assets, bolstering police operations, and maintaining a visible deterrent to crime on city streets. The White House has said the deployment is aimed at helping law enforcement “carry out their duties” and restore a sense of safety to both residents and visitors in the capital.

This all comes as President Trump’s administration intensifies its federal law enforcement presence in the District following his August 7 executive order, which placed the Metropolitan Police Department under partial federal control. The move has enabled agencies like the FBI, DEA, and DHS to operate more broadly in the city, carrying out coordinated patrols, arrests, and enforcement sweeps. According to federal officials, over 240 arrests have been made since the order took effect, with charges ranging from armed robbery and drug trafficking to immigration violations and outstanding theft warrants. In a single night, 52 people were taken into custody.

Federal agents have also targeted homeless encampments as part of their efforts, with more than 100 sites cleared citywide since the operation began. Officials argue that these clearings are necessary to restore public safety and hygiene in areas overwhelmed by crime and instability.