National Guard Troops From Other States Do Not Belong In Washington, D.C.

Urge Opposition to Out-of-State National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C. I urge you to speak out forcefully against the deployment of out-of-state National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. These actions are unnecessary, undermine democratic norms, and set a dangerous precedent that Congress must not ignore. With crime in Washington at or near historic lows, this show of force cannot be justified as a public safety measure. Instead, it represents a troubling politicization of emergency powers. Local Governance and Civil Liberties at Risk Washington, D.C. is already unique in lacking control of its own National Guard, which is subject to presidential command. Importing troops from other states further erodes the principle of local self-governance. These soldiers are not trained in civilian law enforcement and risk overstepping the boundaries of proper conduct, threatening the civil liberties of residents and visitors alike. Legal and Constitutional Concerns The Posse Comitatus Act and related statutes are designed to keep the military out of domestic policing. While some technical loopholes may be exploited, Congress has the responsibility to close them. Allowing the executive branch to import troops for local policing creates an alarming circumvention of these restrictions and erodes the separation between civilian authority and military force. Politicization of Emergency Powers This deployment appears to be politically motivated rather than rooted in genuine public safety concerns. It weaponizes public security for partisan ends and lays the groundwork for federal encroachment in other cities. Today it is Washington, D.C.; tomorrow it could be any community that falls out of favor with the administration. Such misuse of authority undermines trust in both the military and our democratic institutions. Diversion of State Resources National Guard units are essential for disaster response, emergencies, and community support within their home states. Pulling them away from these missions strains resources and discourages recruitment and retention by blurring the Guard’s traditional role. The people of West Virginia and other states should not see their emergency response capabilities compromised for a political agenda in Washington. Congressional Responsibility I urge you to press for hearings and legislation to prevent such abuses. Congress should act to: • Reassert civilian authority over local law enforcement in the District. • Restrict the deployment of out-of-state Guard units for local policing. • Clarify and strengthen protections under the Posse Comitatus Act. • Ensure that the National Guard remains focused on its proper mission of state-level emergencies and support. Congress must speak clearly to protect democracy, civil liberties, and the proper use of military resources. The deployment of out-of-state troops to Washington is unnecessary, inappropriate, and dangerous. I urge you to act without delay.