Trump Creates National Guard Quick Reaction Force for Domestic Law Enforcement

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to create a specialized National Guard quick reaction force, trained and ready for rapid nationwide deployment to assist federal, state, and local law enforcement in maintaining public safety and quelling civil disturbances. The order also establishes a dedicated unit within the District of Columbia National Guard focused on public safety in the nation's capital, with members potentially deputized to enforce federal law. Trump has already deployed the DC National Guard and federalized California's National Guard without state governor requests, prompting criticism from Democrats who accuse him of authoritarianism. Trump defends these actions as necessary for public safety and crime reduction, including consideration of deployments to cities like Chicago, Baltimore, and New York. Legal experts note that while Trump has broad authority over the DC National Guard, his power over state National Guards is limited unless federalized, and the Posse Comitatus Act restricts the use of military forces for domestic law enforcement. Advocacy groups like Free DC have condemned the moves as dictatorial and a threat to democracy.