SC Dems condemn Gov. McMaster’s deployment of National Guard to DC
(WCIV) — South Carolina Democrats have called on Governor Henry McMaster to keep the South Carolina National Guard in the state during hurricane season, with the Republican governor planning to send hundreds of troops to Washington DC to aide President Trump’s federal crackdown on crime and homelessness in the nation’s capital.
The South Carolina Senate Democratic Caucus is speaking out after Gov. McMaster announced his intentions to send 200 South Carolina National Guardsmen to Washington on Saturday at the request of the Pentagon’s National Guard Bureau, but specified he would recall them if a natural disaster struck the state. The move comes after Trump deployed troops in the streets and subsequently attempted a takeover of the capital city’s police department last week. Reports say almost 2,000 personnel have been deployed in the city so far.
“South Carolina is proud to stand with President Trump as he works to restore law and order to our nation’s capital and ensure safety for all who live, work, and visit there,” McMaster said Saturday evening. “As our National Guard works to support President Trump’s mission, should a hurricane or natural disaster threaten our state, these men and women can and will be immediately recalled home to respond.”
State Senate Dems argue the governor’s decision puts South Carolinians at risk by prioritizing partisan politics in DC over the safety of residents at home.
“Sending our National Guard troops away when South Carolina faces the constant threat of hurricanes is a dangerous and irresponsible choice,” said State Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto. “Our Guard members should be on standby to protect our people and communities, not sent to fulfill a political mission in Washington. The Governor owes it to the citizens of this state to put their safety first.”
Assistant Democratic Leader Ronnie Sabb labelled the move “political theater.”
“This is an attempt by the president to act in ways we normally associate with our commander-in-chief, using military personnel as a tool of control,” he said. “It is an abuse of the men and women who serve, and if it is allowed to continue, it will only get worse.”
The caucus called on McMaster to “immediately reconsider” the deployment, emphasizing that “our National Guard exists to serve and protect the people of South Carolina, especially during times of natural disaster. With peak hurricane season approaching, it is unacceptable to weaken the state’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to emergencies.”
