More than 300 South Carolina National Guard troops are heading to Washington, D.C., as part of a mission approved by Governor Henry McMaster to relieve Georgia troops currently stationed in the nation’s capital. The deployment of 330 members was planned before a recent shooting in Washington, D.C., that targeted two West Virginia National Guard soldiers, resulting in one death and one injury.
The South Carolina National Guard previously deployed troops to Washington, D.C., in August to support a presidential-led effort aimed at cracking down on crime in the city. At that time, approximately 800 members of the Army and Air National Guard were called into the city. The total number of National Guard members deployed in the capital city has since risen to over 2,000.
The legality of the move has recently been challenged by a federal judge. Federal District Judge Jia Cobb ruled on November 20 that the presidential deployment of troops in the capital was illegal. The Trump administration has 21 days to file an appeal of the ruling.
Several Palmetto State politicians acknowledged the deployment. State senators posted messages to social media wishing the National Guard well as they prepare to return to Washington to keep the nation’s capital safe. U.S. representatives also posted messages expressing devastation over the loss of the two West Virginia Guard members, noting that the tragedy hit especially hard as more than 300 South Carolina Guardsmen were returning to the city.
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