The West Virginia National Guard has a long and proud tradition. The more than 6,800 soldiers, airmen and civilians constantly stand ready to respond to threats and emergencies at home and abroad.
I have personally seen these citizen soldiers in action many times in flood-ravaged parts of our state. They are among the earliest boots on the ground with relief, security and an empathetic helping hand.
They stepped in to provide additional security at our state’s regional jails during a staffing crisis. They have overseas missions in support of our military in dangerous parts of the world. They stand ready in times of emergencies.
Their mission statement reads: “We achieve combat readiness, lethality, and preparedness and strive to be a highly trained and well-equipped organization for our national defense. Our homeland is West Virginia; we protect her as we protect our families, fellow service members, veterans, and our way of life.â€
What the West Virginia National Guard is not is a political prop.
Yet, that appears to be the current mission for 300 to 400 Guard members who Gov. Patrick Morrisey has deployed to Washington, D.C., to assist with President Donald Trump’s efforts to “make D.C. safe and beautiful.â€
Morrisey was the first to answer Trump’s call for the Guard to come to the district.
“West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital,†Morrisey said. “The men and women represent the best of our state, and this mission reflects our shared commitment to a strong and secure America.â€
Morrisey’s decision is in keeping with his ongoing efforts to curry favor with Trump while also attempting to establish a national profile for himself.
Yes, crime is a problem in our nation’s capital. While the numbers are down overall, parts of the city — primarily Wards 7 and 8 — have higher than average homicide rates. The Anacostia area of the 8th Ward is a particularly dangerous area. That is a significant issue, especially for the residents of those areas, but it is not a national emergency.
The White House remains vague about what the Guard is supposed to do. The Washington Post reported that “images have circulated showing Guard members taking photographs with passersby and patrolling parts of the city that aren’t considered high crime areas.†The scenic areas around the national monuments where many of the soldiers are present are already among the safest in the city.
D.C. Councilwoman Christina Henderson told The Post that governors who are sending troops should be asked, “What are your troops actually going to be doing here? Because the current ones are not doing a lot.â€
That is a legitimate question for Morrisey and Republican governors of at least four other states. Notably, Vermont’s Republican Gov. Phil Scott “politely declined†the request to send troops. His chief of staff told reporters that, while safety is a legitimate concern in cities everywhere, the governor “does not support utilizing the Guard for this purpose and does not view enforcement of domestic law as a proper use of the National Guard.â€
In fairness, our West Virginia Guard has for years quietly acted in support roles for the D.C. Guard and civil authorities. They have provided extra security during major events, such as State of the Union addresses and Fourth of July celebrations. They also have worked on preparedness in case of a major attack or emergency in the nation's capital.
Those missions have merit, but now our Guard personnel are being forced into ill-defined responsibilities. If we are going to take these men and women away from their regular jobs at home, wouldn't our state be better served by having them continue with long-term flood restoration efforts?
The history of West Virginia’s National Guard tells us our soldiers will report for duty and do as they are ordered. They have demonstrated that discipline and commitment to service repeatedly across West Virginia during emergencies. We often say, “Thank God for the National Guard.â€
Our Guard members are too valuable, too important to our state, to be dispatched on what amounts to a vainglorious political stunt.
