The White House asserts that mobilizations of the National Guard across 19 states are not connected to President Donald Trump’s initiative to extend the federal crime reduction efforts from Washington, D.C. to other cities.
Over the upcoming weeks, up to 1,700 National Guard members are anticipated to be activated in these states to support the Department of Homeland Security in a nationwide effort to tackle illegal immigration.
This operation was initially revealed last month and is separate from any possible federal measures in cities with high crime rates, according to a White House representative speaking with Fox News.
National Guard troops were stationed at Union Station days following their deployment in the city, which is close to the U.S. Capitol. (Fox News Digital/Emma Woodhead)
According to the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, using federal military forces for civilian law enforcement purposes is largely forbidden. However, the National Guard will operate under the authority of Title 32 Section 502F, which is not restricted by the Posse Comitatus Act.
In July, upon the Department of Homeland Security’s request, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sanctioned additional forces for ICE assistance and altered existing authorizations from Title 10 to Title 32 status.
“We understood ICE’s needs at that time to be more administrative in nature… as planning continued, working with our partners, it became clear more that ICE needed something different,” a U.S. defense official told Fox News.
Meanwhile, 2,279 National Guard soldiers and airmen from Washington, D.C., and six states are already mobilized in the capital, having completed training, according to a Joint Task Force spokesperson.
The spokesperson described the figures as an “estimate” but said they are the most accurate available.
At least 465 arrests have been made since the crime crunch in Washington D.C. went into operation. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Under direct presidential authority, Guard members have been posted to monuments, checkpoints and traffic stops across all eight wards, with a mission of deterring crime and maintaining a visible security presence.
At Hegseth’s authorization, those Guard members can now carry weapons if needed. But unlike the states, where Guard forces fall under governors’ command, in D.C. they operate under direct presidential authority.
National Guard forces are carrying out presence patrols across Washington, D.C., including at Metro stations, Union Station, the National Mall and alongside U.S. Park Police.
Officials have also linked the D.C. operation to beautification efforts ahead of next year’s 250th Independence Day celebration.
Trump has hinted the Guard may remain in the city for an extended period and that the mission could expand to other parts of the country.
