Gov. Kemp to deploy more than 300 National Guard troops to D.C.

GEORGIA (WRBL) — Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced on Friday that the Georgia National Guard will be providing support to ongoing operations in Washington D.C.

A total of 316 guardsmen (300 soldiers and 16 support staff) will be mobilizing in and around the nation’s capital in response to President Donald Trump’s August 11th executive order declaring a crime emergency in D.C.

“Georgia is proud to stand with the Trump administration in its mission to ensure the security and beauty of our nation’s capital,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We share a commitment to upholding public safety and are grateful to these brave Guardsmen and women, for the families that support them, and for their dedication to service above self. As they have demonstrated again and again, our Georgia Guard is well equipped to fulfill both this mission and its obligations to the people of our state.”

According to the Governor’s Office of Communications, servicemembers were sent earlier this week to Joint Base Anacostia-Boiling in D.C., where they have been working with other military personnel.

Gov. Kemp also approved for 300 more guardsmen to relieve servicemembers stationed in D.C. in mid-September.

Georgia U.S. Senate candidate Derek Dooley, who has been endorsed by Kemp, has applauded Gov. Kemp’s efforts to assist the Trump administration.

“President Trump and his administration’s crime crackdown in Washington, D.C., has resulted in dramatic drops in violent crime and safer communities, and I applaud Governor Kemp for taking decisive action to support those efforts.” Derek Dooley said in a statement.