Summary
The National Guard is a reserve military force in the United States that can be activated to handle emergencies and support military operations. Recently, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, DC, due to a declared crime emergency. The Guard supports both state and federal efforts under the president and state governors.
Key Facts
- The National Guard is a reserve military force in the US with about 431,000 members.
- It consists of part-time soldiers and airmen who train regularly but also have civilian jobs.
- The National Guard can be called into action by the president or state governors for domestic emergencies such as natural disasters or civil unrest.
- Unlike the regular US military, the National Guard serves both state and federal governments.
- President Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, DC, in August 2025 after declaring a crime emergency.
- Up to 1,700 National Guard members are set to deploy across 19 states for a crime and anti-immigration crackdown.
- Each state has its own National Guard units, and it can be federalized for national missions without a governor's consent in certain circumstances.
- The National Guard has been involved in notable historical events, such as the Little Rock integration crisis in 1957.
