West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced Saturday that his state will deploy 300 – 400 National Guard personnel to Washington, D.C., at the request of the Trump administration, marking a deepening of the federal government’s controversial intervention in the capital.
“West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital,” Morrisey said. “The men and women of our National Guard represent the best of our state, and this mission reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America.”
The deployment comes amid rising tensions between the administration and D.C. leaders, as President Trump asserts federal control over the city through his “Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force.” Over the past week, 800 National Guard troops have been stationed across D.C., and the administration invoked a provision of the Home Rule Act to take partial control of the city’s police force despite crime reportedly trending downward.
🚨 More National Guard on the way to D.C. 🚨 WV sending 300–400 troops, Ohio 150 military police, SC 200 troops. Vermont’s Gov. Scott declined. #DC #NationalGuard #Breaking @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/T3Z7toOq5X
— Larry Miller (@LarryMillerTV) August 17, 2025
The conflict intensified when Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed DEA chief Terry Cole as “emergency police commissioner,” bypassing Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Pamela Smith. After legal pushback, the order was revised, making Cole Bondi’s “designee” rather than commissioner.
West Virginia’s Guard will provide “mission-essential equipment, specialized training,” and manpower, according to Maj. Gen. Jim Seward.
In a Friday night statement, Mayor Bowser reassured residents: “We will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy, even when we don’t have full access to it.”
