(The Center Square) – Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine agreed to extend the National Guard’s mission in Washington after a request from Army leaders.
DeWine said Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll asked to extend the deployment through the National Guard Bureau. The extension is expected to last until Nov. 30.
DeWine also said some Ohio troops stationed in nation’s capital will be rotated out and replaced to continue the 150 military police involved to carry out patrols.
None of Ohio’s troops involved in the deployment currently serves as law enforcement officers in the state.
DeWine’s initial deployment of 150 troops in mid-August, which Democrats called political theater, sparked protests around the state capitol, with memories of the Ohio National Guard’s history often mentioned.
In 1970, four Kent State students were killed by guard troops during a protest against the Vietnam War.
Shortly after DeWine’s announcement, Louisiana became the fifth state with a Republican governor to commit troops to the nation’s capital, joining Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia and Mississippi.
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Earlier this month, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp sent more than 300 guardsmen to Washington.
More recently, second-term Republican President Donald Trump has said he wants to send more troops to Chicago and Louisiana, while law enforcement officials and politicians have called for troops in Milwaukee over the objection of city leaders.
