Can President Donald Trump legally send the National Guard to Washington and take control of the district’s police? The short answer is yes, yes.
Trump has authority over the DC National Guard. It is the only guard unit that only reports to the president.
Section 740 of Washington’s Home Rules Act gives the President the authority to control the city’s police station for up to 30 days in an emergency. No council approval is required.
Trump has previously used the National Guard, and so are other presidents. The deployment has been used to enforce civil rights, to suppress urban violence, and once filled out to attack postal workers.
Which president used the National Guard and why
Six presidents (four Republicans and two Democrats) have revitalized the National Guard 11 times since 1957. Here’s what happened when the executive order was made, the number of troops deployed, and whether the president has approved it from the local governor or mayor:
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What is the National Guard?
According to the Council on Foreign Relations, the National Guard, an army of around 430,000 members, serves under state and federal authorities. We provide services with regular soldiers from overseas.
The National Guard is also supporting other missions, including:
- Disaster relief
- Military support overseas
- Domestic Law Enforcement Agency
- Border security
- Election Cybersecurity Support
Trump released his latest move on August 11th as part of a federal crackdown on crime despite police statistics showing a decline in crime in the capital.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called the move “unsteady and unprecedented.” Democrats criticized the action as “power glove.”
According to Politico, the president cannot take over the DC government. Congress must first amend the Home Rules Act.
President Kennedy noted that in September 1963, he approved the National Guard Forces to separate Alabama public schools, but did not deploy.
Source USA Today Network Report and Research. NationalGuard.mil;Reuters; Foreign Relations Council
