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Fact check: Can the national guard aren't anyone

Checked on June 9, 2025

1. Summary of the results

The original question, though grammatically incorrect, appears to be asking about National Guard arrest powers. The National Guard does have the authority to make arrests, but this power comes with significant limitations and is only permitted when operating under specific authority from either a Governor or the President [1]. These powers are subject to state and local law enforcement regulations [1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual elements are missing from the original question:

  • Command Structure: Only the president, defense secretary, and U.S. Army secretary have the authority to activate the D.C. National Guard - contrary to some misconceptions, members of Congress, including leadership, do not have this power [2].
  • Historical Context: The National Guard has been deployed during civil unrest situations, demonstrating their role in maintaining public order under federal authority [3].
  • Martial Law Misconceptions: There have been widespread misconceptions about martial law and National Guard powers. As of March 2020, no martial law was declared nationally or in any state, with multiple high-ranking officials, including Defense Secretary Mark Esper and FEMA Administrator Peter Gaynor, explicitly denying such implementations [4].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

Several sources of misinformation and bias should be noted:

  • Foreign Disinformation: Countries like Russia, China, and Iran have actively spread disinformation about potential martial law and military involvement, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as part of broader information warfare strategies [5].
  • Political Manipulation: The confusion about National Guard authority has been subject to political manipulation, particularly regarding who has the power to deploy them. This was evident in misconceptions about Congressional leadership's authority over the D.C. National Guard [2].

The grammatically incorrect nature of the original question itself suggests possible confusion or misinformation about the National Guard's powers and authority structure.

Want to dive deeper?
What legal authority does the National Guard have to detain civilians?
Under what circumstances can the National Guard make arrests in the United States?
How does the Posse Comitatus Act affect National Guard law enforcement powers?
What is the difference between National Guard state and federal activation powers?
Can the National Guard enforce civilian laws during emergencies or martial law?