UNION, S.C. (WSPA) – Monday, a group of South Carolina Army National Guard soldiers left for the nation’s capital.
Approximately 70 soldiers from the group of 200 ordered by South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster were dispatched from the National Guard Armory in Union to assist in a federal security mission in Washington D.C. This mission was directed by President Donald Trump along with the Pentagon’s National Guard Bureau.
“People do not want to see the nation’s capital in disarray and dangerous. So, I say hallelujah for President Trump once more; he is taking action that should have been implemented a long time ago,” McMaster stated.
Captain Jonathan Barr Commander of HHC 4-118 is one of the soldiers going to D.C.
“We’re heading up there to ensure civility among the people while maintaining the utmost respect for the local residents and all civilians, and to collaborate closely with local law enforcement,” Barr explained.
Lieutenant Colonel Travis Moore, Commander of the 218th Brigade South Carolina Army National Guard, assured that this deployment would not interfere with their hurricane response efforts.
“The South Carolina Army National Guard has over 11,000 soldiers, airmen, and state guardsmen. We’re sending about 200 to Washington, D.C., so this should not affect our capacity or capability to provide hurricane and crisis response,” he noted.
Moore mentioned that besides the D.C. National Guard, the South Carolina Army National Guard will be the first to have soldiers on the ground in D.C. for this mission this week.
“It’s important because it shows that South Carolina, responds. We respond professionally, we respond effectively, and, that whenever our nation, our state calls, we’ll be ready to answer. “
Not everyone is happy about the mission.
Several state Democratic leaders said they are unhappy with the governor’s decision. State Representative John King (D – York) said in a letter to McMaster: “Governor this is not leadership. This is political theater at the expense of the people you swore an oath to serve. South Carolina does not need a governor more worried about pleasing Washington than protecting his own backyard.”
McMaster said the federal government is covering the cost of this deployment. He added this isn’t the first time South Carolina soldiers have been called to help, he said soldiers have been sent to the border.
