3 States Sending Guard Troops to DC

Three Republican governors say they will send troops from their own states' National Guard to Washington, DC, a development that will roughly double the Guard presence in the capital, reports the New York Times. The deployments come at the request of President Trump.

• West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey committed 300 to 400 troops, per the AP.
• South Carolina's Henry McMaster is deploying 200.
• Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine will send 150.

• Doubling: This builds on the 800 members of the DC National Guard already in place, a force the president can mobilize directly without state approval. Their presence at landmarks like Union Station and the National Mall has drawn criticism, while the Trump administration's move to temporarily federalize the DC police force has drawn legal challenges.
• Weapons: Things might get more controversial soon: NBC News reports that some Guard members will begin carrying firearms while on patrol in DC. That would mark a shift from the first wave of deployment, when the troops were charged with tasks such as clearing out homeless camps. Some "may be armed consistent with their mission and training," says a spokesperson. "Their presence is focused on supporting civil authorities and ensuring the safety of the community they serve."
• Weapons, II: Defense officials previously said the Guard soldiers would not be carrying weapons. But on late Friday, some of those on duty were told to expect an order changing that, reports the Wall Street Journal.