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Pentagon Weighs Changes in Deploying DC National Guard

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1 year ago

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Pentagon Weighs Changes in Deploying DC National Guard


The Pentagon is developing plans to restructure the National Guard in Washington, DC, in a move to address problems highlighted by the chaotic response to the Jan. 6 riot and safety breaches during the 2020 protests over the murder of George Floyd, the AP reports. The changes under discussion would transfer the District of Columbia’s aviation units, which came under sharp criticism during the protests when a helicopter flew dangerously low over a crowd. In exchange, the District would get more military police, which is often the city’s most significant need, as it grapples with crowd control and large public events.

A key sticking point is who would be in control of the DC Guard—a politically divisive question that gets to the heart of what has been a turbulent issue. Across the country, governors control their National Guard units and can make decisions on deploying them to local disasters and other needs. But DC is not a state, so the president is in charge but gives that authority to the defense secretary, who generally delegates it to the Army secretary. Several current and former officials familiar with the talks spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. They said no final decisions have been made.

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Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is weighing two options, officials said: maintaining the current system or handing control to US Northern Command, which is in charge of homeland defense. Senior officials have argued in favor of Northern Command, which would take control out of the hands of political appointees in Washington who may be at odds with the DC government, and giving it to nonpartisan military commanders who already oversee homeland defense. Others believe the decision-making should remain at the Pentagon, mirroring the civilian control that governors have on their troops, per the AP. The overall goal, officials said, is not to decrease the size of the District’s Guard, but make changes to ensure it has the units, equipment and training to do the missions it routinely faces.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and other local officials have long argued that the mayor’s office should have sole authority to deploy the local guard, saying the DC mayor has the responsibilities of any governor without the extra authorities or tools. When faced with a potential security event, the mayor has to go to the Pentagon to request National Guard assistance. That was true during the violent protests over the killing of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in 2020, and later as a mob stormed the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an effort to overturn the election of Joe Biden as president. City leaders complained heatedly about delays in the Jan. 6 response as the Pentagon considered Bowser’s National Guard request. City police ended up reinforcing Capitol Police.

(Read more Washington, DC stories.)





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Washington, D.C

Washington Capitals’ Roster For Preseason Finale vs. Boston Bruins: Andrew Cristall To Skate With Big Squad, Charlie Lindgren To Go The Distance

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2 hours ago

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October 5, 2024

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Washington Capitals’ Roster For Preseason Finale vs. Boston Bruins: Andrew Cristall To Skate With Big Squad, Charlie Lindgren To Go The Distance


The Washington Capitals released the roster for their final preseason game against the Boston Bruins on Saturday evening (5 PM ET, Monumental Sports Network locally, NHL Network nationally).

Left-wing Andrew Cristall, the 40th overall pick from the 2023 NHL Draft who tallied 40 goals and 111 points with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets last season, will dress with all the other expected Capitals’ opening-night starters against Boston. The 19-year-old has two goals in three exhibition games this fall.

Head coach Spencer Carbery said on Friday that goaltender Charlie Lindgren will play the entire game.

Here were the lines that the team used during practice on Friday before they placed defenseman Ethan Bear, center Michael Sgarbossa, and center Luke Philp on waivers:

Left-wing Jakub Vrana, who remains with the team on a PTO, has recorded a goal and an assist in four preseason games but will not dress on Saturday.

Washington will open the regular season on Saturday, October 12 vs. the New Jersey Devils.

By Harrison Brown

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About Harrison Brown

Harrison is a diehard Caps fan and a hockey fanatic with a passion for sports writing. He attended his first game at age 8 and has been a season ticket holder since the 2010-2011 season. His fondest Caps memory was watching the Capitals hoist the Stanley Cup in Las Vegas. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, photography, and hanging out with his two dogs. Follow Harrison on Twitter @HarrisonB927077





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Washington, D.C

‘Supposed to help': DC man says officers didn't assist him after hit-and-run

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9 hours ago

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October 5, 2024

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‘Supposed to help': DC man says officers didn't assist him after hit-and-run


A D.C. man said he was hit by a car while crossing the street this week and when he tried to flag down police officers parked nearby, he was ignored. 

Michael Philip said he was on his way to work and crossing the street at 14th and U streets in Northwest around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday.

“I had about 15 seconds to make it to the other side of the street and then I saw light through my umbrella,” he said.

“They were still holding on to the wheel,” Philip said. “They were, like, gesturing I’m sorry, and then they just sped off.”

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He took a picture of the car before the driver took off, but it didn’t have license plates.

Philip said two police cars were parked nearby and he asked the officers for help. 

“’Hey!’ I was still holding my phone; I was shaking,” Philip said. “’I got hit by that car, can you do something about it? Can I file a report? Can you chase after that car?’”

“They didn’t do anything,” he said. “They just looked at me and then they drove down 14th Street, and everybody at the bus stop that saw it, they all just said, ‘What the?’”

Philp said he reported the hit-and-run later that morning but hasn’t heard anything from investigators. 

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He wasn’t seriously hurt, physically, but believes he deserves better. 

“I feel disappointed and some sort of betrayal,” Philip said. “I thought the police were supposed to help us.” 

“Our Third District looked into this and found no indication that officers in the area were aware that a crash had occurred,” a representative for the Metropolitan Police Department said. “There is regularly a visible patrol presence in the area of that intersection. The complainant in this case reported the crash later that morning at a nearby district station.”

Philip said he isn’t going to stop trying to get answers.

“If this happened to me, it could have happened to anyone else, in a far worse situation than I have ever been,” he said. “Like, you’re supposed to help people.”

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He posted his story on Reddit looking for advice and said he plans to reach out to his ANC commissioner and D.C. Council.

“It still lingers, the memory of the impact, that I could have died right there,” Philip said.



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Washington, D.C

Where to Eat a Caesar Salad in D.C.

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17 hours ago

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October 4, 2024

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Where to Eat a Caesar Salad in D.C.


True to its name and nothing near conventional, the diner’s “Dirty Caesar” ($16) features a squid-ink crumble, soft egg, tomato, and aged gouda. Add chicken, shrimp, miso salmon, falafel, and even naan to the salad for an upcharge starting at $3.



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