The president of the United States, Donald Trumphas ordered the deployment of the National guard in Washington DC to combat crime, a measure that has been criticized by the city’s democratic authorities, who consider it disproportionate.
This is the second time From his return to power, last January, that Trump resorts to this body, after having done so in Los Angeles to contain protests against migratory raidsin a decision that also generated opposition in California.
Next, some keys to a measure that has caused a great controversy:
The United States National Guard is a Military reserve force composed of volunteerswhose main purpose is to act as Army support and the Air Force in situations of emergencyhow natural disasters o civil disturbances.
Each state of the country and the district of Columbia, where Washington is located, has its own unit, mostly formed by part -time that combine their service with other civil works.
With around 433,000 members throughout the countryits members have training and equipment similar to that of regular forces.
The National Guard has a double command: state y federal. It is usually the governor of a State who activates the body in local emergency situations, although the President of the United States It can “federalize” when considering that the crisis exceeds state capacities.
The case of D.C. It is different, since it is not a state and its national guard depends exclusively on the president to be activated.
In any circumstance, the National Guard only has authority within the State or territory where it has been activated.
Deployment of members of the National Guard in Washington. / JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON / AP
Trump issued one Public Security Emergency to take control of the capital of the capital for a legal maximum of 30 days and deploy at least 800 members of the National Guard in its streets.
The Republican justified his decision arguing that the homicide rate of Washington-historically considered one of the most dangerous cities in the country-far exceeds that of capitals as Bogotá o Mexico Cityand said that it also seeks to remove from the streets the homeless peoplewithout specifying your destination.
The capital mayor, the Democrat Muriel Bowsercriticized the president’s decision as “disturbing and unprecedented”, and claimed that Violent crimes have fallen by 26% this year.
Trump already deployed in June about 5,000 troops in Los Angeles to support migratory operations against the great protests against the raids, a deployment that was subject to judicial litigation because he did not have the consent of the governor.
The National Guard has been deployed in Washington several times Throughout history, in general to contain protestsand the last time it happened was in Trump’s first term (2017-2021).
The Republican ordered the deployment of about 4,000 troops in 2020 to contain manifestations against police violence and racism derived from Death of George Floydincluding eviction by the force of a demonstration in front of the White House.
In January 2021, during the Assault on the Capitol For a mob of Trump supporters, only 340 soldiers were deployed, and the Democratic opposition accused the then president of having responded slowly and limited to the crisis.
