Members of the National Guard stand in front of a large image of U.S. President Donald Trump that hangs from the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building on May 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C.
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Andrew Harnik/Getty Images North America
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan has warned that her state’s National Guard troops should only participate in the America 250 celebrations in Washington, D.C., and not in President Trump’s controversial anti-crime task force. In a letter obtained by NPR, she threatened to withdraw the troops if they were not used as intended.
“Please ensure the Michigan National Guard only supports the specific America 250 Mission and not the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission,” Whitmer wrote, referencing the federal task force’s official title.
In August 2025, President Trump deployed hundreds of troops to Washington, D.C., a move experts viewed as a significant departure from traditional governance. He claimed this was necessary to combat rising crime, although crime rates were reportedly decreasing at the time. Since then, troop numbers have grown to over 4,800 from Washington, D.C., and nearly two dozen states, many previously led by Republicans.
Michigan, with 161 National Guard members currently in the city, is one of four Democratic-led states that have recently sent troops to D.C. for the America 250 celebrations. North Carolina and Kentucky each sent one guard member, and Minnesota sent over a hundred last week.
Kentucky informed NPR on Monday that it withdrew its guard member after discovering the individual was “diverted to the task force by the federal government without the knowledge or consent of Gov. Beshear of the Kentucky Guard,” according to Scottie Ellis, a spokesperson for Gov. Beshear.
Spokespeople for the Democratic governors involved have emphasized to NPR that their troops were intended solely for the America 250 event and not for law enforcement activities associated with the federal joint task force. All four states have expressed opposition to the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops to D.C., even filing an amicus brief in support of litigation against it as recently as May.
Recently, a video surfaced showing troops identifying themselves as Michigan National Guard members patrolling the Georgetown waterfront, far from any official America 250 celebrations. NPR has verified the video’s authenticity. Whitmer’s office did not immediately confirm if these troops were from Michigan.
All state guard members are currently stationed in D.C. under Title 32 status, meaning the federal government funds the deployment while state governors retain control. However, former National Guard officials argue that state involvement in daily operations in a complex national mission like this is impractical.
“If the National Guard has broadened the America 250 Mission beyond direct event support, please inform me so we can limit the Michigan National Guard’s efforts accordingly,” Whitmer’s letter states.
She further asserted that failure to ensure this would lead to Michigan ending its support for the America 250 mission.
Legal experts from the Brennan Center for Justice, who are monitoring Trump’s deployment in D.C., express concern that distinguishing between the America 250 celebration and the joint task force’s general mission will be challenging. The task force primarily conducts visible patrols in neighborhoods, parks, and metro stations.
Troops from all four Democratic-led states are included in the official federal joint task force numbers released to the public. Whitmer insists that Michigan’s troops should not be counted.
Other Democratic governors’ offices contacted by NPR have similarly stated that their guard members should not be included in the count.
When questioned about the situation, a joint task force spokesperson told NPR that all guard members in D.C. are managed for organizational purposes, but this does not alter their specific missions. The task force did not respond immediately to NPR’s inquiry about the presence of Michigan guard members in Georgetown and whether it was related to the America 250 operations.
