Protesters attend a “Hands Off” rally to demonstrate against President Donald Trump on the National Mall, April 5, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
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Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
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Demonstrators gather outside the offices of USAID (which has been targeted by President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk) during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests, in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
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Thousands of protesters gather for the “Hands Off!” rally around the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
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Protesters gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
Washington, D.C.
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Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
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Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
Washington, D.C.
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Protesters gather outside the Ronald Reagan Building for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
Washington, D.C.
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Demonstrators gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 2025.
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Protesters attend a “Hands Off” rally to demonstrate against President Donald Trump on the National Mall, April 5, 2025 in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
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Demonstrators outside the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C., participate in the nationwide “Hands Off!” protests against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, April 5, 2025.
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Demonstrators march during a protest near the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Washington, D.C.
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Protesters gather on the National Mall for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
Washington, D.C.
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A demonstrator holds a sign featuring an image of Elon Musk during a “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his policies, on the Washington Monument grounds in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
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Washington, D.C.
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Protestors gather during a “Hands Off!” protest against the policies of US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
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An aerial view of demonstrators rallying against President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk during a “Hands Off!” protest on the Washington Monument grounds, in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
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Shoes representing children killed in the Israel-Hamas conflict are arranged by pro-Palestine activists during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
Washington, D.C.
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Demonstrators rally against President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk during a “Hands Off!” protest on the Washington Monument grounds, in Washington, D.C., April 5, 2025.
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Demonstrators hold up signs during a “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump at the Washington Monument, in Washington, D.C., Saturday, April 5, 2025.
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Demonstrators attend a rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., protesting the Trump administration, Saturday, April 5, 2025.
New York, New York
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Demonstrators march as part of a nationwide “Hands Off!” anti-Trump protest in New York City, April 5, 2025.
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People protest in Manhattan during a demonstration that is part of larger “Hands Off!” events organized nationwide against President Donald Trump, in New York City, April 5, 2025.
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Demonstrators march during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in New York City, April 5, 2025.
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Thousands take to the streets in New York City in a “Hands Off!” demonstration to voice their opposition to the Trump administration, April 5, 2025.
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People protest in Manhattan, part of “Hands Off!” events organized nationwide against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Elon Musk, April 5, 2025.
New York, New York
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People protest in Manhattan, part of the nationwide “Hands Off!” rallies against President Donald Trump, in New York City, April 5, 2025.
Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University doctoral student from Turkey, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials as she walked along a street in a Boston suburb on March 25; she was then moved to an ICE detention center in Basile, Louisiana. She is currently fighting deportation.
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New York, New York
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Thousands take to the streets in New York City in a “Hands Off!” demonstration to voice their opposition to the Trump administration, April 5, 2025.
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
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Activists protest President Donald Trump during a “Hands Off!” demonstration Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
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Activists protest President Donald Trump (then just a few miles away at the Trump National Golf Club), during a “Hands Off!” demonstration Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Palm Beach Gardens, Floriada.
St. Paul, Minnesota
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Protesters gather outside the Minnesota State Capitol building during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in St. Paul, Minnesota, April 5, 2025.
St. Paul, Minnesota
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Demonstrators gather outside the Minnesota State Capitol during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in St. Paul, Minnesota, April 5, 2025.
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Demonstrators gather outside the Minnesota State Capitol during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in St. Paul, April 5, 2025.
St. Paul, Minnesota
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Demonstrators gather outside the Minnesota State Capitol during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in St. Paul, April 5, 2025.
Rome, Georgia
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Demonstrators hold signs and speak to passing vehicles, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Rome, Georgia.
Atlanta, Georgia
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People take part in the nationwide anti-Trump “Hands Off” protest in Atlanta, April 5, 2025.
Boston, Massachusetts
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Senator Ed Markey (center), Democrat of Massachusetts, marches with demonstrators during the “Hands Off” rally in Boston, April 5, 2025.
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Boston, Massachusetts
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Thousands of demonstrators gather on Boston Common during the “Hands Off!” rally in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 5, 2025.
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Thousands of demonstrators gather on Boston Common during the “Hands Off!” rally in Boston, April 5, 2025.
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A demonstrator dressed as George Washington marches during the “Hands Off!” rally in Boston, April 5, 2025.
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Thousands of demonstrators gather on Boston Common during the “Hands Off!” rally in Boston, April 5, 2025.
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Demonstrators take part in the nationwide “Hands Off!” anti-Trump protests in Boston, April 5, 2025.
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Portsmouth, New Hampshire
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Demonstrators hold signs during a “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Asheville, North Carolina
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Demonstrators rally against resident Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk during a “Hands Off!” protest, in Asheville, North Carolina, April 5, 2025.
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Demonstrators rally against President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk during a “Hands Off!” protest, in Asheville, North Carolina, April 5, 2025.
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
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Demonstrators hold a “Hands Off” protest rally against President Donald Trump, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, April 5, 2025.
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware
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Demonstrators hold a “Hands Off” protest rally against President Donald Trump, in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, April 5, 2025.
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Lansing, Michigan
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Demonstrators arrive for the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing on April 5, 2025.
Lansing, Michigan
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People gather for the “Hands Off!” protest against the policies of President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, outside the Michigan Capitol in Lansing, April 5, 2025.
Grand Rapids, Michigan
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Eight-year-old Teddy Burdick listens to speakers alongside his sister, 11-year-old Addy Burdick, during a “Hands Off!” rally on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “I just need to teach them the difference between right and wrong,” said their father, Dustin Burdick.
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Community organizer Emerson Wolfe leads a march down Ottawa Avenue during a “Hands Off!” rally on Saturday, April 5, 2025 at Rosa Parks Circle in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Stamford, Connecticut
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Paul Kretschmann, 74, holds a sign at a “Hands Off” protest against President Donald Trump and his adviser Elon Musk, in Stamford, Connecticut, April 5, 2025.
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Charlotte, North Carolina
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Protesters carry signs in protest of the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk during a “Hands Off!” demonstration, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Miami, Florida
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Protesters carry signs and chant slogans against the policies of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Miami.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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People begin to walk from City Hall to Independence Mall during the “Hands Off!” National Day of Action demonstration, in Philadelphia, April 5, 2025.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
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Approximately 300 local demonstrators with SOKY Indivisible gather in the rain at Circus Square Park in downtown Bowling Green, Kentucky, Saturday, April 5, 2025, to protest against President Donald Trump and his administration as part of a nationwide “Hands Off!” protest.
Bowling Green, Kentucky
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Approximately 300 local demonstrators with SOKY Indivisible gather at Circus Square Park in downtown Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Saturday, April 5, 2025, to protest against President Donald Trump and his administration as part of a nationwide “Hands Off!” protest.
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Salt Lake City, Utah
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People protest at the Utah State Capitol, in a demonstration that is part of the “Hands Off!” events organized nationwide against President Donald Trump, in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 5, 2025.
St. Joseph, Michigan
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Barbara Starke (right) joins hundreds of people gathered in downtown St. Joseph, Michigan, Saturday, April 5, 2025, during a “Hands Off!” rally held to protest the Trump administration and recent DOGE cuts.
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A Trump supporter drives past demonstrators in downtown St. Joseph, Michigan, Saturday, April 5, 2025, during a “Hands Off” rally held to protest the Trump administration and recent DOGE cuts.
Houston, Texas
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Demonstrators march during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Houston, Texas, April 5, 2025.
Houston, Texas
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Demonstrators rally during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Houston, Texas, April 5, 2025.
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Houston, Texas
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Demonstrators rally during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against US President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Houston, Texas, on April 5, 2025.
Huntington Beach, California
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Demonstrators rally during the nationwide “Hands Off!” protest against President Donald Trump and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Huntington Beach, California, April 5, 2025.
San Francisco, California
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Protesters form a human banner on Ocean Beach during a protest against President Donald Trump, part of the “Hands Off!” rallies held nationwide, in San Francisco, Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Paris, France
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Protesters hold placards during a “Hands Off!” rally against President Trump’s administration and his advisor, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in Paris, April 5, 2025.
Berlin, Germany
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Protestors gather in front of the U.S. Embassy as they demonstrate against the President Donald Trump and Elon Musk in Berlin, Germany, April 5, 2025.
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Lisbon, Portugal
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U.S. residents in Lisbon hold placards while gathering in Praça do Comercio during a protest organized by American activists living in Portugal, April 5, 2025.
London, England
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Demonstrators rally against President Donald Trump, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, and their recent policies, in Trafalgar Square, London, April 5, 2025.
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A demonstrator dressed as a dinosaur rallies against Tesla CEO Elon Musk outside Tesla’s Oxford Street store, April 5, 2025, in London.
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Demonstrators rally against President Donald Trump and his recent policies in Trafalgar Square, London, April 5, 2025.
Associated Students of GCU President Judah Floyd (left) and Vice President Gracie Zimbardi (right) participated in a workshop with Arizona Congressman Eli Crane at the Campus Victory Forum conference in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., has been a popular spot this summer, especially since it’s the nation’s 250th anniversary. And it’s where many Grand Canyon University students have traveled, including the campus’s student body leaders.
Associated Students of GCU President Judah Floyd and Vice President Gracie Zimbardi traveled to Washington, D.C., to participate in the Campus Victory Forum conference and celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary of signing the Declaration of Independence.
“It was a humbling opportunity to be able to represent GCU and be poured into by so many admirable Christian leaders,” Floyd said. “It reminds me of the leader I want to be as a Christ follower and as someone who’s been put in a position to have influence on the students of GCU.”
Outside of conference sessions, Judah Floyd and Gracie Zimbardi explored Washington, D.C.
The three-day conference was organized by Campus Victory, an organization empowering collegiate leaders to step into civic engagement. It featured workshops, sessions and activities that equipped students with practical tools to step into their leadership roles.
Roughly 250 student leaders from universities all around the country traveled to the nation’s capital for the conference, where they met and heard from politicians and community leaders, including U.S. Rep. Eli Crane of Arizona.
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He addressed the young crowd with a personal testimony about his experience in public leadership and gave an empowering message from 1 Timothy 4:12, which reads, “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
He encouraged students to boldly press on in their positions despite their young age.
Sharing a home state with Crane was made extra special to Floyd and Zimbardi when Crane invited all Arizona students backstage to meet and have conversations with him.
“He was phenomenal,” Zimbardi said. “He talked about how being firm in our faith is so important in this time, and though we are young leaders, we do have the knowledge, experience and people to look up to, so use it. It was so inspiring to hear from him.”
Gracie Zimbardi (left) displayed her patriotism with student leaders from other universities.
When sessions concluded, students explored significant landmarks, including memorials, museums, and federal and local government buildings.
Everything was decked out in red, white and blue, with flags and banners hanging everywhere to commemorate the milestone anniversary.
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Celebratory events unfolded one after another on Independence Day, finishing with the largest fireworks show in history. Some 850,000 pyrotechnic effects were detonated over 40 minutes, with thousands gathered for the once-in-a-lifetime event.
Floyd waited five hours in line to attend Salute to America 250, which concluded yearlong celebratory festivities. The six-hour event on the National Mall featured presidential remarks, musical performances and military flyovers.
While in Washington, D.C., Judah Floyd (center) met with other student leaders.
“President Donald Trump talked about how America is really a land of people of faith and people who overcome challenges time after time,” Floyd said. “It really rekindled in us the spirit of liberty that we all carry as Americans and the importance of defending that liberty for generations to come.”
Military veterans were brought onstage and honored for their commitment to serving the country. Flags from every generation of America were displayed, and singer Lee Greenwood led the crowd in singing “God Bless the U.S.A.”
The World Cup was happening at the same time. While Floyd and Zimbardi were in Washington, D.C., they witnessed another level of patriotism when a Team USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina watch party, complete with a projector screen, was organized in front of the U.S. Congress.
“Thousands of people all wearing U.S.A. jerseys were shouting and screaming and spraying water in the sky when we scored a goal. It was deafening,” Floyd said.
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Judah Floyd and Gracie Zimbardi celebrated the Fourth of July in Washington, D.C., with student leaders from around the country.
As the start of academic year approaches, Floyd and Zimbardi’s tenure as student body president and vice president will soon commence.
The duo said that participating in the Campus Victory Forum conference, networking with student body presidents and vice presidents from other universities, and witnessing everyone’s patriotism prepared them to lead with passion and boldness.
“It means a lot to me that someone in this organization thought of us, GCU, and said, ‘We need them there.’ Zimbardi said. “It was really unique hearing from other students about how they do things at other universities.
“We got to sit down and spitball back and forth. We talked about things like, ‘Wow, that’s what works for you? We are struggling in that area, do you mind if we try it?’ Having conversations like that is extremely helpful, and it is cool how unified we can all become.”
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Dozens of Iowa National Guard soldiers leaving Iowa today will spend the next six months serving in Washington, D.C..
Last August, President Trump issued an executive order declaring there was an epidemic of crime in the nation’s capitol and he immediately mobilized National Guard troops from the District of Columbia. The Pentagon then started asking state guard units to deploy to D.C. and made a request of Governor Kim Reynolds last year. “They asked earlier and I said no because we had one of the largest deployments that we’ve had for a long, long time and I just felt we were stretched pretty thin,” Reynolds said.
In May of last year, nearly 2000 Iowa National Guard soldiers were deployed to the Middle East. The final group of those soldiers returned to Iowa last month. Reynolds said the Pentagon “circled back” recently and asked her to send a group of Iowa Guard soldiers to D.C. and she’s deployed 120 Iowa Guard soldiers to D.C. “to ensure the safety and security” of people who are in the nation’s capitol, “especially with everything that’s going on with the 250th birthday of our country,” Reynolds said, “and so we were able to participate and do our share.”
Reynolds told reporters the federal government will pay the entire cost of the deployment. Reynolds will speak this morning at a private send off ceremony for the Iowa Guard soldiers before they leave for D.C. There were over 5000 National Guard troops in Washington this past Sunday, including 185 from Nebraska and over 100 from Minnesota.
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capitol Bureau) — One hundred and twenty members of the Iowa National Guard are leaving Friday for Washington, D.C., where they will assist with security measures and America 250 celebrations at the request of the Trump administration.
Reynolds initially said no
Gov. Kim Reynolds said she had previously declined the Trump administration’s request, citing the strain of one of the state’s largest recent deployments.
“They asked earlier, and I said no because we had one of the largest deployments that we’ve had for a long, long time and I just felt that we were stretched pretty thin,” Reynolds said.
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Nearly 2,000 Iowa National Guard members had spent a year or more deployed to the Middle East. Those soldiers have since returned home.
Guard members now available following Middle East return
With those troops back, Reynolds said Iowa was in a position to fulfill the president’s request.
“We have them all back. They circled back, especially with everything that’s going on with the 250th uh birthday uh of our country. And so we were able to participate and do our share,” Reynolds said.
Different states have sent National Guard members to Washington, D.C., since last August.
Reynolds said the federal government will pay the costs of Iowa’s deployment to Washington, D.C.
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