West Virginia governor is sending 300 to 400 National Guard members to Washington at the Trump administration’s request

The move by a nearby state comes as hundreds of District of Columbia National Guard were activated this week to back up local law enforcement.

By: Express Web Desk

August 17, 2025 12:01 AM IST

1 min read

US, washington, trump, national guard, chicago

National Guard personnel keep watch as travelers arrive at the entrance to Union Station near the Capitol, in Washington. (Photo: AP)

West Virginia is sending between 300 and 400 members of its National Guard to Washington, DC, to help in the Trump administration’s takeover of the city’s police department, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The move follows the activation of hundreds of District of Columbia National Guard members earlier this week to support local police. The Republican administration has described the effort as part of its plan to address crime and homelessness in the capital.

Governor Patrick Morrisey said on Saturday in a post on X that he was deploying “300-400 skilled personnel” from the West Virginia National Guard. He said the deployment was to support President Donald Trump’s “initiative to make DC safe and beautiful.”

Morrisey added that the step showed “our commitment to a strong and secure America.”

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