The Pentagon plans to shake up DC's National Guard, criticized for its response to protests, Jan. 6

[BumRushDaShow]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by Omaha Steve (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Pentagon is developing plans to restructure the National Guard in Washington, D.C., in a move to address problems highlighted by the chaotic response to the Jan. 6 riot and safety breaches during the 2020 protests over the murder of George Floyd, The Associated Press has learned.

The changes under discussion would transfer the District of Columbia’s aviation units, which came under sharp criticism during the protests when a helicopter flew dangerously low over a crowd. In exchange, the district would get more military police, which is often the city’s most significant need, as it grapples with crowd control and large public events.

Several current and former officials familiar with the talks spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. They said no final decisions have been made.

A key sticking point is who would be in control of the D.C. Guard — a politically divisive question that gets to the heart of what has been an ongoing, turbulent issue. Across the country, governors control their National Guard units and can make decisions on deploying them to local disasters and other needs. But D.C. is not a state, so the president is in charge but gives that authority to the defense secretary, who generally delegates it to the Army secretary.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/national-guard-dc-restructure-riots-protests-e80e186b33efeff0f38ed19d5951d42e

[Tetrachloride]

1. You don't say

[peppertree]

2. How about a special counsel for Chris Miller - Trump proto-Nazi Defense Sec.

He ordered anyone he could to stand down (like Cheney did on 9/11).

[twodogsbarking]

3. Jailing Trump would help.

Jailing Trump would help.
Jailing Trump would help.
Jailing Trump would help.

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

4. Frankly, it should go to the DC Mayor

whether or not that force should be used, and how as the highest ranking official - similar to a governor.

[iluvtennis]

9. That makes sense. n/t

[ancianita]

11. She tried using her status on Jan 6. Remember what happened?

[iluvtennis]

12. I don't specifically recall, but since the National Guard deployment

was held up for hours, I’m sure the Mayor was ignored.

But if the policy is put in a place to make it official for the Mayor to deploy the national guard, then DC mayor can’t be ignored.

[ancianita]

13. IF. At this point I haven't heard or read of any such change even being considered.

[Lonestarblue]

5. The situation on January 6 is a perfect example of why we need DC to be a state.

They need a governor, a legislature, and full representation in Congress just as every other citizen has. I cannot imagine a governor, including a Republican, standing by and not authorizing National Guard as a state on January 6.

[erronis]

6. +1. Altho a (r)epuglicon governor may be as corrupt as their congress-critters.

Not sure an (r) governor wouldn't be a trojan horse.

[COL Mustard]

7. In DC? About as likely as that happening in California.

DC we something like 95% Democrat in the last election. A Republican has about 0% chance at ever being elected there.

[erronis]

8. Agree. DC native here.

[BlueIn_W_Pa]

10. Or just allow the mayor the same rights as a governor

to call up the guard as the most senior elected official

[former9thward]

14. The Capitol building is not under the jurisdiction of DC.

If DC were a state the governor would have no more authority than Maryland or Virginia to order troops to the Capitol. The Capitol is federal and they will never give that jurisdiction to anyone else.

[Omaha Steve]

15. After a review by forum hosts, locking........

NO final decisions have been made, not LBN.