Pentagon preps 23,500 troops for US cities — fears grow of major civil unrest

The Pentagon has ordered thousands of National Guard troops in the country to undergo civil unrest training in the coming months, indicating that the Trump administration’s strategy to use military forces in U.S. cities might be transitioning from rare to routine practice.

As per the internal Defense Department documents, a recently created “quick reaction force” will be trained, equipped with riot-control gear, and ready for activation by January 1. Almost 200 troops will arrive from Guard units that normally concentrate on disaster response, like nuclear or terrorist situations.


Another branch, the long-standing National Guard Reaction Force, is anticipated to complete similar training by April 1, developing to 23,500 troops in all states and territories (excluding D.C.). Most states will offer nearly 500 personnel each. Previously, these forces managed disaster relief, not active urban deployments.

A defense official, talking anonymously, stated that the Pentagon is “revising plans for the employment of [National Guard Reaction Forces] to guarantee their ability to assist federal, state and local law enforcement in quelling civil disturbances.”

President Donald Trump has defended the deployments as an attempt to restore order in cities battling with unrest and crime, stating during a speech in Japan:

“We have cities that are troubled, we can’t have cities that are troubled. And we’re sending in our National Guard, and if we need more than the National Guard, we’ll send more than the National Guard, because we’re going to have safe cities.”

Later, he said to reporters,

“The courts wouldn’t get involved. Nobody would get involved. And I could send the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. I could send anybody I wanted.”

Legal challenges have emerged in many states, with Democratic governors opposing the federal deployments. The Supreme Court has requested extra briefs in regard to Trump’s authority to utilize troops to Chicago, while a federal appeals court is reconsidering whether he can send Guard forces to Portland, Oregon.

Critics warn that the expanded operations could blur the lines between military defense and domestic law enforcement.

“They are increasing their ability to mobilize National Guard forces, federalize them and use them over the opposition of localities and governors,” said Kori Schake, director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.

Pentagon planning documents reviewed earlier this year disclosed ambitions to make a “Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force”, that is efficient for immediate deployment nationwide to address unrest. Troops would be on standby continuously, divided between bases in Arizona and Alabama.

The force, composed of personnel from the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Assistance Support Element, would be prepared to mobilize within eight hours. Training will allegedly include the deployment of Tasers, pepper spray, and crowd-control tools.

Some experts caution that the strategy represents a weakening of congressional oversight and could expand presidential power in ways that challenge the constitutional power.

“They’re behaving like a parliament, not like a presidential system,” Schake added. “And it’s going to break the American order, our constitutional order, if Congress and governors can’t check executive power.”

FAQs:

1. What is the National Guard’s latest quick reaction force?
   It’s a specialized team of troops trained to respond immediately to civil unrest and emergencies in the United States.
   
2. Why is the Pentagon increasing National Guard training?
   The aim is to prepare for possible large-scale domestic disturbances and strengthen response capabilities.