WASHINGTON — Gov. Henry McMaster announced on Saturday that he had authorized the deployment of South Carolina National Guardsmen to Washington but suggested they could be called back if needed locally.

McMaster said 200 National Guardsmen would be heading to the nation's capital to help law enforcement as part of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump and in response to a request from the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon.

McMaster said he would recall them to South Carolina in the event of a major national disaster like a hurricane.

The Associated Press reports that federal troops are already patrolling the National Mall and neighborhoods in the capital. However, the administration has backed off on a previous plan to take over the District's police department.

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