Fact check: What is the process for deploying National Guard in Washington DC?

1. Summary of the results

The process for deploying National Guard in Washington D.C. differs significantly from other states due to D.C.'s unique federal status. The President has broad authority to deploy the National Guard in Washington D.C. because it is not a state ^[1]. Unlike other states where governors typically control National Guard deployments, in D.C., the mayor typically submits a request to activate the guard through the defense secretary, and the president can federalize the guard ^[2].

The President can rely on Title 10 of the U.S. Code to take control of National Guard troops if the country is facing an invasion or rebellion, or if the President is unable to enforce the law with regular forces ^[1]. This represents a primary difference between the deployment of National Guard in Washington DC and other states, where a governor would normally call up the guard instead of the president's federalizing it ^[3].

Recent deployments have involved National Guard troops authorized to use their weapons for self-protection and as a last resort in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm ^[4]. The financial cost is substantial, with a past deployment in 2020 costing roughly $2.6 million a day for 5,000 National Guard troops ^[2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the unprecedented nature of recent National Guard deployments. According to expert analysis, President Trump's decision to federalize the National Guard as a blanket response to crime in D.C. is a departure from the National Guard's intended mission and has no precedent in modern American history ^[5].

There are significant concerns about the militarization of America and the potential for abuse of power raised by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, who has requested information about the scope, mission, and cost of the deployment ^[6]. The deployment may represent an attempt to circumvent the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits the use of the military in civilian law enforcement purposes ^[7].

President Trump has issued new executive orders to expand the scope of the military's operations in Washington D.C., including the creation of a specialized unit within the D.C. National Guard to ensure public safety and order ^[7]. This expansion of military involvement in civilian law enforcement represents a significant shift from traditional practices.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral and factual, seeking information about a legitimate governmental process. However, it lacks context about the controversial and unprecedented nature of recent National Guard deployments in D.C. The question doesn't acknowledge that current deployments represent a departure from the National Guard's intended mission ^[5] or the constitutional concerns raised by civil rights advocates and members of Congress.

The framing of the question as a routine administrative process omits the significant legal and constitutional debates surrounding the use of federal troops for domestic law enforcement, particularly the potential violations of the Posse Comitatus Act ^[7]. This could lead readers to view military deployment in civilian areas as a normal governmental function rather than an extraordinary measure with significant constitutional implications.