National Guard On Standby: Civil Disturbance Rapid-Response Initiatives

The National Guard is set to establish rapid-response units focused on civil disturbance missions in each state, as disclosed by two U.S. officials on Wednesday. This development is slated for completion by next year and aligns with President Donald Trump's strategy that employs military support for domestic endeavors.

President Trump has increasingly advocated for the military's involvement in domestic issues, particularly in Democratic-led cities like Los Angeles, Portland, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. The plan stems from an executive order he issued in August, mandating that each state have National Guard troops capable of swiftly intervening to ensure public order and safety.

An anonymous source confirmed that all states would need to establish these forces by next year, with most maintaining 500 troops each. The Guardian first reported details of this requirement, citing a National Guard memo from October 8. Despite these developments, a Pentagon spokesperson has not commented on the specifics of the initiative, which poses questions about its differentiation from existing rapid-reaction teams.

The National Guard asserts that current state units already provide capabilities for civil disturbance management, ready to deploy 125 troops within eight hours, followed by an additional 375 within 24 hours. During a trip to Japan, Trump reiterated his commitment to a forceful response to unrest, suggesting potential action beyond the National Guard to ensure urban safety.