Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has approved an extension for 150 Ohio National Guard members to remain stationed in Washington, D.C. through late November, following a request from federal officials. While DeWine defended the move as consistent with past Guard assignments, he emphasized that he does not foresee deploying troops for crime-related issues within Ohio cities. The extension comes amid political clashes over federal militarization and debates on crime statistics in both Washington and Ohio.
Read: “Like Criminals” ICE Slaps Ankle Monitors on Immigrants Attending Court Hearings
Guard Deployment Extended
Governor DeWine confirmed Wednesday that Ohio National Guard members, initially ordered to Washington for 30 days in August, will now stay until November 30. The deployment was requested by the U.S. Secretary of the Army under President Trump’s directive, citing a public safety emergency in the nation’s capital. DeWine described the Guard’s role as distinct, saying, “Involving crowds, involving unruliness, there’s a role for the Guard, but when you’re talking about violent crime, it needs to be very pinpointed.”
Also read: White House Cites “Benign Condition” as Trump’s Health Questions Intensify
Trump’s Crime Emergency Claim
President Trump has repeatedly claimed Washington D.C. is in the midst of a crime emergency, though official data shows violent crime there is at its lowest level in 30 years. Despite that, he has warned of deploying Guard troops to other Democrat-led cities facing crime concerns. The move has drawn criticism from Democratic lawmakers and civil rights groups who argue it represents unnecessary federal militarization…