Governors from South Carolina, Ohio, and West Virginia have announced the deployment of National Guard members to Washington, D.C., as part of President Donald Trump's initiative to reduce crime in the capital. This comes after Trump's recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and ongoing efforts to address violent crime in the city.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster stated he has authorized the deployment of 200 National Guard members. He emphasized that these guardsmen will support federal law enforcement activities under Trump's executive order aimed at restoring law and order in D.C. McMaster noted that the guardsmen would return to South Carolina if a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, threatens the state.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that 150 military police from the Ohio National Guard will also be sent to D.C. at the request of the U.S. Army secretary. DeWine clarified that none of these military police are currently serving as law enforcement officers in Ohio. They are expected to arrive in Washington in the coming days to conduct presence patrols and enhance security.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey revealed that he is sending between 300 and 400 National Guard members to support Trump's crime-fighting efforts. Morrisey stated that this deployment was requested by the Trump administration, highlighting the commitment to a secure America.

In a related development, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a revised directive that maintains the authority of D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith. This change follows a successful legal challenge by local officials against Bondi's initial order, which sought to designate Drug Enforcement Administration head Terry Cole as the "emergency police commissioner" of the Metropolitan Police Department.

The revised directive clarifies that Cole will serve as a "designee" to assist D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in providing federal law enforcement services. Bondi's new order also instructs the mayor to assist with federal immigration law enforcement and to help locate and detain individuals unlawfully present in the District.