The state of West Virginia will send more than 300 members of its National Guard to Washington D.C. to support the 800 soldiers already deployed in the capital. This action is part of President Trump’s anti-crime campaign to “bring pride and beauty back” to the city, according to West Virginia governor Patrick Morrisey.

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State authorities detailed that “at the request of the Trump Administration” they plan to send “between 300 and 400 trained personnel” from the West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) to the nearby District of Columbia, a mission that will include the provision of essential equipment and specialized training, all financed by federal funds.

“The WVNG will deploy troops to the nation’s capital as a sign of commitment to public safety and regional cooperation,” the statement added.

This announcement comes a day after Washington authorities sued the Republican Administration for what they consider a “hostile takeover” of the capital’s police by the federal government, which they claim has abused its authority under the Home Rule Act that regulates the District’s self-governance since 1973.

After a hearing in federal court, the government reversed course on Friday on its decision to appoint the director of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Terry Cole, as “emergency commissioner” of the Police, although he will remain overseeing security actions in the city in compliance with the order of the US president.

Trump declared a “Public Safety Emergency” and took control of the Washington D.C. Police on Monday, when he also announced the activation of some 800 troops from the capital’s National Guard, as part of his efforts to “restore public order,” protected by a clause in the Home Rule Act.

Since then, the US capital has seen an exponential increase in the presence of agents from federal agencies such as the FBI, the DEA, and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service (ICE), who have made dozens of arrests for possession of weapons and other crimes, in addition to arrests of undocumented immigrants, according to the White House.

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