A newly released Department of Defense (DOD) memo calls for all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and U.S. territories to form "quick reaction forces" within the National Guard that will be trained in "riot control" procedures - the latest indication that President Donald Trump is set to escalate his militarization of cities across the country. The October 8 memo was signed by Major General Ronald Burkett, the director of operations for the DOD's National Guard bureau.
We're a nation of laws and accountability - not a nation that turns a blind eye to abuse of power. Donald Trump, himself a convicted felon who pardoned felons convicted of assaulting federal law enforcement officers, is misleading the public with his false narrative that America, and especially California, is some lawless wasteland. But California is proving him wrong - in the courts and on the facts,
the National Guard does not have the authority to arrest drug dealers and sending them to San Francisco will do nothing to get fentanyl off the streets or make our city safer." He added that he would "would welcome stronger coordination with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to execute targeted operations, arrest drug dealers, and disrupt drug markets and multinational cartels.
CHICAGO (AP) National Guard troops sent to Illinois by President Donald Trump can stay in the state and under federal control, but can't be deployed to protect federal property or go on patrol for now, an appeals court ruled Saturday. The decision comes after federal Judge April Perry on Thursday ruled to temporarily block the National Guard deployment for at least two weeks, finding no substantial evidence that a danger of rebellion is brewing in Illinois during Trump's immigration crackdown.
The Hands Off NYC campaign backed by the city's largest labor unions and civic groups, including 1199SEIU, 32BJ SEIU, the New York Civil Liberties Union and the New York Immigration Coalition held a rally at City Hall Park alongside elected officials to unveil what organizers described as a coordinated effort to train residents, build neighborhood communication networks and mount a nonviolent defense if President Donald Trump deploys National Guard troops to the city.
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A majority of voters, 58 percent, said presidents should only send military forces to cities that face external threats. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to U.S. President Donald Trump during a roundtable discussion in the State Dining Room of the White House on October 8, 2025.Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images Two sets of recent polling data demonstrate that Americans disapprove of President Donald Trump's actions in office so far - particularly his mobilization of the National Guard in U.S. cities.