Minnesota is pulling troops early from D.C., as pressure grows on Michigan
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is withdrawing National Guard troops from Washington, D.C. early due to concerns over their deployment for domestic policing rather than the intended ceremonial duties. This follows a broader trend of state-led troops being deputized for federal law enforcement tasks under the Trump administration.
Why it matters
The deployment of state National Guard troops for federal domestic policing raises significant constitutional questions regarding the use of the military in civilian law enforcement.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is pulling his National Guard members from Washington, D.C. early, after they were seen on presence patrols in neighborhoods far from the National Mall, similar to what many of the troops assigned to President Trump's ongoing federal Joint Task Force have been doing in the city for nearly a year.
Gov. Walz sent his guard members to D.C. ahead of the official America 250 celebrations with specific orders that they would be used only to help with those events near the national monuments.
Democratic governors from Kentucky, North Carolina, Michigan, Maryland and Hawaii also sent troops with similar orders in recent weeks. It was the first time troops from Democratic-led states had been sent to Washington since Trump launched his task force.
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