Republican governors are dispatching hundreds of National Guard soldiers to Washington, D.C., after President Donald Trump declared a “public safety emergency” in the nation’s capital and temporarily took control of the city’s police department. West Virginia was first to respond, with Gov. Patrick Morrisey saying he will deploy 300 – 400 Guard members along with equipment and specialised training at federal expense. South Carolina and Ohio quickly followed, pledging 200 and 150 troops, respectively. Within two days, Mississippi committed 200 soldiers, Louisiana 135 and Tennessee 160, bringing the number of contributing states to six. Combined with the 800 District National Guard members already activated, officials expect the total Guard presence in Washington to exceed 2,000 personnel in the coming week. The reinforcements are operating in Title 32 status, meaning the troops remain under state command but are paid and directed under federal rules. The White House says the mission is aimed at curbing violent crime and homelessness, while critics, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, note that city crime has fallen and accuse the administration of overreach. The Wall Street Journal and NBC News report that Guard units, initially deployed without firearms, have been instructed to prepare to carry weapons—a shift the Pentagon has not publicly explained. The growing troop presence and prospect of armed patrols have intensified debate over the scope of presidential authority and the role of the military in domestic policing.