Earlier today:

The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) has been directed by Governor Patrick Morrisey to support President Trump’s federal takeover by deploying troops to Washington, D.C., at the request of the Trump administration. https://t.co/2Is4efaPC6

— FOX 5 DC (@fox5dc) August 16, 2025

Here is Morrisey’s statement:

At the request of the Trump administration, I have directed the @WVNationalGuard to support the President’s initiative to make D.C. safe and beautiful. We are deploying 300-400 skilled personnel to the nation’s capital, reflecting our commitment to a strong and secure America.

— Governor Patrick Morrisey (@wvgovernor) August 16, 2025

"Skilled personnel?" From a quick review of the literature, the WV National Guard is not trained to do big-city police work. (D.C.’s population is over 700,000. WV’s largest city has 46,000 residents.) How is this possible? I’m not a lawyer, how is this legal?

If you aren’t worried about the future of America’s democracy, you aren’t paying attention.