Over 150 Tennessee National Guardsmen set to depart for D.C. this week

Tennessee National Guardsmen are preparing to deploy to the District of Columbia to support security in Washington, TN Government Press Secretary Elizabeth Johnson shared.

On Monday, Aug. 11, President Donald Trump said that he was taking over Washington’s police department and activating 800 members of the National Guard in hopes of reducing crime in the city. In response, several states are deploying National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.

ABC24 reached out to the TN State Government for more information on the initiatives being taken at a local level to help with President Trump’s security initiative in D.C.

According to Johnson, upon orders from President Trump, Governor Bill Lee granted the Administration’s request, under Title 32, to send several TN National Guard troops on a security mission in our nation’s capital.

A total of 160 service members are set to join the D.C. Joint Task Force this week. They will be working alongside local and federal law enforcement agencies to help with monument security, community safety patrols, protecting federal facilities, and traffic control, Johnson confirms.

Although no return date has been disclosed, Johnson says troops will be assisting as long as needed.