South Carolina National Guard Troops Deployed to Washington, D.C.

Governor Henry McMaster has authorized the deployment of 200 South Carolina National Guard soldiers to Washington, D.C., following a request from the Pentagon. The soldiers, part of the 4-118th Combined Arms Battalion, are among the first out-of-state units to arrive in the capital as part of a larger federal effort to increase security.

The deployment comes under Title 32 authority, meaning the troops remain under state command while being federally funded. Governor McMaster noted that the state maintains the ability to recall the unit immediately if a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, were to threaten South Carolina.

“These soldiers are always ready to serve where they are needed,” McMaster said. “We will continue to monitor conditions here at home and in Washington to ensure South Carolinians are protected.”

Guard Members from Across the Upstate

The soldiers being deployed include men and women from communities such as Gaffney, Union, and Fountain Inn. According to Lt. Col. Travis A. Moore, their duties in Washington are expected to include traffic control and presence patrols. Major Gen. Robin B. Stilwell emphasized that the Guard’s community-based nature makes them well suited for the assignment.

Part of a Multi-State Effort

South Carolina joins several other states— including Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Ohio—in sending National Guard troops to Washington. Combined, the deployments are expected to bring more than 1,000 Guard members into the city to support federal operations. Some of these troops may be armed, a shift from earlier missions that relied on unarmed patrols.

The mobilization follows President Trump’s August 11 executive order placing D.C. police under temporary federal oversight, citing what he described as a crime emergency. While the administration points to arrests, gun seizures, and the clearing of homeless encampments as signs of progress, federal data shows that violent crime in Washington has actually declined by more than 30 percent since 2023.

Ongoing Debate

The decision to deploy troops has drawn mixed reactions. Supporters argue the additional presence will help maintain public safety and order, while critics—including D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser—have condemned the move as an overreach that undermines local control. Legal challenges questioning the federal government’s authority in this matter are already underway.

For South Carolina, the deployment is a reminder of the Guard’s dual mission: serving the nation when called while remaining ready to respond to emergencies at home.

Photo credit: U.S. Army National Guard/Sgt. Jalen Miller