Trump mobilizing up to 1,700 National Guard troops in 19 states to widen law and order crackdown
By: Josh Marcus (The Independent)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
The Trump administration reportedly plans to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in the coming weeks to support its immigration and anti-crime crackdowns, a dramatic expansion of the controversial operation that's seen federal agents and Guard troops carrying out activities across Washington, D.C.
The troops, who will largely be activated across Republican-controlled states, will serve in support of the administration's Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, as well as other law enforcement priorities, according to comment from unnamed Pentagon officials and documents obtained by Fox News.
The Guardsmen assisting ICE will be carrying out tasks that may include "personal data collection, fingerprinting, DNA swabbing and photographing of personnel in ICE custody," an official told outlet.
The deployments will take place across the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming, per Fox.
Texas is reportedly slated to have the largest deployment.
open image in galleryThe Trump administration is reportedly expanding its crime crackdown by deploying up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states in support of its immigration and crime crackdowns (AFP via Getty Images)
The Independent has contacted the reported states for comment, as well as the central National Guard leadership and the Department of Homeland Security.
The Guardsmen will be serving under Title 32 Section 502F authority, in which they technically remain under state command and control, but can assist with federal missions and are paid with federal funds. The status allows them to avoid running afoul of a federal law limiting military involvement in domestic law enforcement.
When asked about the reported operation, the Defense Department referred The Independent to a July announcement from the Pentagon changing the status of troops supporting ICE to Title 32 and adding 500 additional personnel to the mission, bringing it to a total of approximately 1,700 troops.
The statement said the troops could be involved in "direct interaction with individuals in ICE custody," and that the mission stemmed from a May request from the Department of Homeland Security for assistance.
"The Virginia National Guard plans to mobilize approximately 60 Soldiers and Airmen with a mission to provide administrative and logistics support to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at locations across the state," a spokesperson told The Independent. "VNG personnel will not conduct law enforcement functions, and VNG support will not include making arrests."
open image in galleryNational Guard operation in Washington has reportedly netted over 700 arrests alongside local and federal partners this month (AP)
Nevada officials pointed The Independent to a Tuesday announcement from Gov. Joe Lombardo, which described up to 35 Nevada National Guardsmen assisting DHS with "vital clerical, administrative, and logistical support — ensuring there will be no direct contact with detainees, no law enforcement duties, and no weapons involved."
A spokesperson for the Idaho National Guard told The Independent the state's contingent will feature 14 personnel providing three ICE offices with "administrative functions," potentially including data entry, record keeping, creating and maintaining reports, and other clerical duties.
The apparent expansion in operations comes as President Trump threatened to send the "regular military" into Chicago for a similar crime crackdown, as well as potentially send troops to New York City.
"We're going to make our cities very, very safe. Chicago is a mess. You have an incompetent mayor, grossly incompetent, and we'll straighten that one out, probably next that'll be our next one after this, and it won't even be tough," Trump told reporters at The White House.
Nearly 2,000 Guard troops from Washington, D.C., and six states are deployed to the capital as part of the president's anti-crime and immigration push.
Washington residents overwhelmingly oppose the federal law enforcement operation there, according to polling.
The operation has netted more than 700 arrests since beginning earlier this month, according to the Trump administration, though it hasn't released in-depth information about the identities or alleged offenses that form this figure.
Trolling, taunting, spamming, and off topic comments may be removed at the discretion of group mods. NT members that are known plagiarists, repeat comments, or continue to disrupt/deflect the conversation risk having all of their comments deleted. Please remember to quote the person(s) to whom you are replying to preserve continuity of this seed. Any use of the phrase "Trump Derangement Syndrome" or the TDS acronym in a comment will be deleted. Any use of the term "Brandon", "Traitor Joe", or any variations thereof, when referring to President Biden, will be deleted. Right wing trolls can expect to have their irrelevant questions and comments deleted. Posting debunked lies will be subject to deletion. Use of the terms "leftist" or "lefty" will also be subject to deletion. ©
Tags
Who is online
126 visitors
I wish our fearless media would investigate whatever the hell this is. It sounds like they are test driving a total takeover of the nations law enforcement.
Yesterday I heard him say that Chicago may be next.
In addition to Chicago, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if there were several other cities that haven’t even mentioned yet! 🧐
Boston would be a good choice. It has a racist mayor.
The far right anti woke jackass Christopher Rufo was on Bill Maher last night and said the last week of no murders in DC was a "record" implying it had never happened before. It has happened multiple times this year according to reports.
When lies are allowed to stand dumbasses will believe anything.
What reports? According to Ai
AI Overview Yes, Washington, D.C. recently experienced a period without recorded homicides for the first time in several years, resulting in what is being described as a "murder-free week".
Well this is where who mobilizes or activates them matters .
If trump did it on his own like in Ca, posse comm comes into play .
but under title 32 , and being mobilized by the governor , it doesnt .
After all the right wing paranoia that Obama was going to do this and no response from Republicans.
Then another right wing paranoia fest before the election including Noem on the talk show circuit accusing Biden of doing this type of invading our streets, not a peep from all the freedom loving small government right wing tea party patriots.
This is NOT small government. This is NOT getting government out of our lives. This is NOT reducing government spending.
This is Trump and his minions literally sending in the government on the taxpayer dime to invade America based on false propaganda.
They are NOT going after red states and cities with far higher crime rates. It is NOT about crime!
If the right wing outrage machine thinks the fight that got out of control in Cincinnati Ohio was evidence of high crime then WHY aren't the Ohio National Guard in Cincinnati instead of DC?
Ohio state and federal tax dollars sent the Guard troops to DC instead of Cincinnati. Why not take care of business in the state where they serve?
So it's not about crime. Where art thou tea party patriots and sovereign state advocates? Where are the states rights patriotic protectors standing up against this literal tyranny?
Hiding in the corner.