Washington National Guard Soldiers Now Armed in Amplified Trump Deployment Response
In a controversial move, National Guard units patrolling the nation's capital at the direction of President Donald Trump have started carrying firearms. This development comes amidst speculation of potential deployments in Democratic-led cities like Baltimore, Chicago, and New York.
The joint task force overseeing policing in the nation's capital stated that units began carrying their service weapons on Sunday. Members of the South Carolina National Guard, one of the units involved, were seen outside Union Station with holstered handguns.
The military's rules state that force should be used "only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm." All units with firearms have been trained and are operating under strict rules for use of force.
The Rev. Al Sharpton believes the Guard's presence in the nation's capital is about profiling and is laced with bigotry and racism. This sentiment is shared by Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who said the city doesn't need "a military occupation" and would sue to block one. Johnson has stated there has been no communication from the White House about a possible military deployment in Chicago.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, has also voiced his opposition, stating there is no emergency warranting the deployment of National Guard troops in Chicago. This stance is supported by the city's history of standing up against tyranny and resisting those who wish to undermine the interests of working people, according to Mayor Johnson.
Trump has targeted Chicago and New York for potential deployment of National Guard troops and active-duty forces, according to The Washington Post. The president has described some of the nation's largest cities, particularly those run by Democrats, as dangerous and filthy.
Baltimore, however, has seen a decrease in violent crime rates. Baltimore's violent crime rate has fallen since last year, with a 24% decrease in homicides and an 8% decrease in overall violent crime.
Thousands of National Guard and federal law enforcement officers are now patrolling the district's streets. The force is committed to protecting "the safety and wellbeing" of Washington's residents. However, the potential deployment in Democratic-led cities has sparked controversy and resistance.
The White House has responded to the report by referring to Trump's earlier comments about expanding the use of military forces to target local crime. Trump stated that Chicago will likely be the next target, and he also mentioned helping with New York.
This development raises questions about the role of the military in domestic law enforcement and the potential for political motives in these deployments. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how these cities will respond and if legal challenges will be mounted to block these potential deployments.
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