Trump calls in out-of-state troops to D.C.—bypassing local authority.

Trump calls in out-of-state troops to D.C.—bypassing local authority.

In the USA.

The news as it trends,

The governors of South Carolina and Ohio have announced they are sending National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. at the request of President Trump.

The deployment is part of a broader federal crackdown on crime in the capital, but the move has sparked intense legal debate and public criticism.

Washington, D.C. is not a state, which means its National Guard falls under federal control.

Legally, the President can request support from other states under Title 32 of the U.S. Code, and governors can voluntarily send troops.

However, bypassing D.C.’s elected leadership—especially Mayor Muriel Bowser—raises serious concerns about federal overreach and the erosion of local autonomy.

Just weeks earlier, the Justice Department attempted to install a federal commissioner over D.C.’s police department, a move that was struck down in court. That ruling reaffirmed the mayor’s authority.

Now, with out-of-state troops arriving from Republican-led states, critics argue this is less about public safety and more about political control.

Legal analysts and critics alike warn: if the President can override local governance this easily, it sets a troubling precedent for democracy itself.

Yetunde B reports for Yeyetunde’s Blog.