Fact check: When has the president deployed the national guard in the past?

1. Summary of the results

The National Guard has been deployed numerous times throughout U.S. history, with deployments falling into two main categories: state-level under governor command and nationwide under presidential command ^[1]. Recent notable deployments include:

• California forest fires ^[2]
• Capitol security (January 6, 2021)
• George Floyd protests ^[3]
• Hurricane Katrina relief ^[4]
• Military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan ^[1]

The most recent significant deployment occurred when President Trump federalized 2,000 National Guard troops in Los Angeles during immigration protests, notably without California Governor Newsom's approval ^{[5] [6]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several crucial contextual points need to be considered:

• Legal Framework: Presidents can deploy the National Guard through specific legal mechanisms like the Insurrection Act and Title 10 authority, though deployments typically require governors' agreement ^[7].
• Historical Precedents: Notable historical deployments include:
• President Eisenhower sending the 101st Airborne to Little Rock, Arkansas for school integration
• George H.W. Bush's response to the 1992 Los Angeles riots following the Rodney King beating ^[7]
• Rarity of Unilateral Action: The recent Los Angeles deployment is only the second time since 1965 that National Guard troops have been activated without a governor's request ^[6].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question might lead to oversimplification of a complex system. Important considerations:

• The deployment system is typically collaborative between federal and state governments, not unilateral presidential action ^[7].
• Most deployments are for non-political purposes such as natural disasters and emergencies ^[1].
• Recent deployments have become more politically charged, particularly in cases involving civil unrest and immigration enforcement ^{[5] [7]}.
• The unusual nature of the recent Los Angeles deployment without governor approval suggests a significant shift in how presidential authority over the National Guard is being exercised ^[6].