politics
Whitmer Limits Michigan Guard in D.C. to America 250 Events, Threatens Withdrawal if Used for Other Tasks
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer ordered state National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., to support only America 250 celebrations and avoid the federal crime task force. She said she would withdraw the 161 Michigan members if the restriction is not followed.
abcnews.go.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Michigan Gov. , may support only operations tied to America 250 celebrations. The letter states the troops are not to assist the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission, the federal joint task force established after President Trump deployed hundreds of National Guard members to the city in August 2025.
Whitmer wrote that she would end Michigan's participation if the troops are assigned to the broader mission. , and nearly two dozen states. Michigan is one of four Democratic-led states that recently contributed personnel ahead of the America 250 events.
North Carolina sent one member and Kentucky sent one member. Minnesota sent more than 100 members last week. Kentucky recalled its single member over the weekend after the member was assigned to the task force without the governor's consent.
A video that began circulating on social media in recent days showed troops identifying themselves as Michigan National Guard members patrolling the Georgetown waterfront. NPR authenticated the video. , operate under Title 32 status, under which the federal government pays the costs while governors retain command authority.
