Trump announced the creation of a National Guard to control protests

• President Trump announced the creation of a National Guard to control protests.
• The guardsmen received weapons, but they may only use them in extreme cases.
• This initiative has sparked criticism among critics who consider it political.

This is reported by ABC News, NBC News.

President Donald Trump signed an order on Monday directing the Pentagon to create units of the National Guard in Washington and other locations to control protests and ensure public safety. This decision has sparked criticism among critics who believe that such an initiative goes beyond the legal powers of the National Guard, which is usually used for combating foreign threats or in extraordinary situations, such as hurricanes.

The order calls for Defense Secretary Peter Hegseth to designate members of the Army and the National Guard in each state, who can be quickly deployed to support law enforcement in the event of civil disturbances. It also envisions the creation of a "specialized unit" in the Washington National Guard, which would be "deputized" to enforce federal laws.

More than 2300 troops of the National Guard, currently stationed in Washington, have begun carrying weapons, including pistols M17 and rifles M4. They have been instructed to use their weapons only for self-defense or in extreme cases, and in the event of threats to themselves or other individuals.

Trump asserts that his decision to mobilize the guard is related to the need to combat crime in Washington, even though local officials deny that the crime rate in the city is that high.

Along with the information, the National Guard already has "rapid reaction forces" in each state, which can quickly respond to extraordinary situations, but Trump seems to be inclined to create units that specialize in controlling protests. This has sparked concern among experts, who believe it could lead to police state conditions.

Tags: USA/Politics