With recent National Guard deployments across the country, some may be wondering what exactly the National Guard is, and why its role is now at the center of a political fight. Here’s an overview of the force, its history and details on recent deployments.
What is the National Guard?
The National Guard is a state-based military force, comprised of more than 430,000 soldiers and airmen, with units in all 50 states, plus D.C. and the territories of Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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Troops wear uniforms and rank, operate military vehicles and weapons, and have often served alongside regular active-duty units in war.
The Guard is composed of soldiers who train part-time, typically for one weekend a month and two weeks a year, but can be called up in emergencies.
In addition to these responsibilities, governors can mobilize troops, typically to assist with disasters or civil unrest. The White House can also mobilize Guard troops under Title 10 of the U.S. Code for national missions, including overseas deployment to serve in wars.
Previous National Guard deployments
The National Guard’s roots date back to 1636, when the first militia regiments in North America were organized. Officials have deployed troops during some of the most defining moments in American history, from escorting Black students into Little Rock’s Central High in 1957 and patrolling L.A. streets during the 1992 riots to delivering relief after Hurricane Katrina.
Today, their mission remains the same: to protect the American people. However, deployments haven’t faced this kind of scrutiny in decades.
That’s largely because President Trump’s recent deployments mark a shift by unilaterally sending the Guard into Democratic-led cities without the consent of state governors, who normally command their state’s Guard.
The administration says the purpose of those deployments is to crack down on crime and immigration-related protests. But legal experts say it pushes the boundaries of the Posse Comitatus Act, which bans using the military as a police force on U.S. soil.
Where has Trump deployed the National Guard?
In recent months, Trump ordered National Guard deployments to various cities, citing crime and immigration concerns.
The deployments began in June, when Trump deployed troops to California allegedly to quell immigration protests. In August, Trump ordered troops to Washington D.C.
In September, the president signed an order authorizing the National Guard to deploy in Memphis and stated that he would consider additional deployments in Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans.
Trump also ordered troop deployments in Portland, Oregon. However, over the weekend, a federal judge blocked that order, accusing the White House of circumventing federal law and violating the Constitution by using the military when no significant threat or insurrection existed.
Finally, on Tuesday, troops arrived in Illinois despite concerns from state and local officials. The state filed a similar lawsuit to Oregon, which is slated to be presented in court on Thursday.
The exact number of troops currently deployed is unclear.
