WASHINGTON (AP) — Hundreds of West Virginia National Guard members will deploy across the nation’s capital as part of the Trump administration’s effort to overhaul policing in the District of Columbia through a federal crackdown on crime and homelessness.
Gov. Patrick Morrisey, R-W.Va., announced Saturday that he was sending a contingent of 300 to 400 to nearby Washington at the Republican administration’s request. They will arrive in the district along with equipment and specialized training services, his office said in a statement.
“West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital,” Morrisey said. “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.”
The move comes as federal agents and National Guard troops have begun to appear across the heavily Democratic city after Trump’s executive order Monday federalizing local police forces and activating about 800 D.C. National Guard troops.
Maj. Gen. James Seward, West Virginia’s adjutant general, said in a statement that members of the state’s National Guard “stand ready to support our partners in the National Capital Region” and that the Guard’s “unique capabilities and preparedness make it an invaluable partner in this important undertaking.”
