Trump Orders State-Based Military Units Trained for Domestic Deployment/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration has directed the National Guard in every U.S. state and territory to establish specialized Quick Reaction Forces trained in civil unrest response. More than 23,000 troops will receive riot control training, with deployments possible within hours. This initiative marks a major expansion of military readiness for domestic deployment amid rising political and social unrest.
Quick Look: Key Facts
- Order Signed By: Maj. Gen. Ronald Burkett
- Mandate Deadline: Jan. 1, 2026
- Scope: All 50 states and U.S. territories (excluding D.C. for standard forces)
- Special Training Includes: Batons, body shields, Tasers, pepper spray
- Total Troops Targeted: Over 23,000 across the U.S.
- D.C. Force: 50 active-duty National Guard troops, military police-focused
- Deployment Readiness: 25% deployable within 8 hours; full unit within 24 hours
- Backed by: August 2025 Executive Order by President Trump
- Training Provided By: National Guard Bureau with full riot control kits
- Monthly Reporting Required: States must update federal military leaders on progress
In-Depth Story:
Trump Administration Orders National Guard to Create Domestic Civil Unrest Units Nationwide
WASHINGTON – In a sweeping move reflecting the Trump administration’s intensified approach to domestic security, the Pentagon has instructed National Guard units in every U.S. state and territory to establish “quick reaction forces” trained to manage civil unrest, riots, and public disturbances with minimal notice.
The directive, outlined in a series of memos obtained by the Associated Press, mandates the creation of specialized units totaling more than 23,000 troops nationwide. The memos, signed by Maj. Gen. Ronald Burkett, operations director of the National Guard, call for each state to prepare roughly 500 troops trained in non-lethal force tactics, including the use of batons, body shields, stun guns, and pepper spray.
The new forces are required to be capable of deploying 25% of their personnel within 8 hours and the entire unit within 24 hours. Washington, D.C., is assigned a unique role with a dedicated 50-troop military police battalion on continuous active duty.
This nationwide directive stems from an executive order signed by President Trump in August 2025, which authorized the Pentagon to build and maintain rapid-response military forces for domestic deployment. That executive order is cited within the memos as the legal justification for expanding the National Guard’s civil unrest role.
Previously, National Guard troops have often been activated to respond to natural disasters or large-scale emergencies. But this initiative represents a shift — positioning the Guard as a frontline force for crowd control, protest management, and riot response.
Training and Equipment Details
To fulfill this mandate, the National Guard Bureau will supply each state with 100 full sets of crowd control gear and assign two full-time instructors to facilitate the training. Additionally, troops in these new quick reaction forces will receive up to five days of dedicated training through the “Interservice Nonlethal Individual Weapons Instructor Course.”
This multi-tiered training covers:
- Basic skills: Crowd management, de-escalation tactics, use of body shields and batons
- Intermediate skills: Deployment and regulation of Tasers, pepper spray, and other non-lethal weapons
Each state’s Guard unit is required to submit monthly reports to the Department of Defense outlining progress toward readiness by the January 2026 deadline.
A Broader Strategy to Expand Domestic Military Presence
President Trump’s decision to institutionalize rapid military deployment units across the country reflects his larger strategy to use military forces more aggressively within U.S. borders. This includes expanding military involvement in immigration enforcement, crime suppression, and civil order — often overriding opposition from Democratic governors and mayors.
The Trump administration has already sent Guard units into major cities, including Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles, following civil unrest and protests. However, attempts to deploy troops in other regions have been met with legal resistance. Most notably:
- Chicago Deployment Blocked: Supreme Court has delayed further federal intervention until additional legal briefs are submitted.
- Portland Federal Case Ongoing: A federal trial is underway challenging troop deployment in Oregon.
Despite legal hurdles, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the administration’s approach during a recent Homeland Security roundtable. He declined to confirm specific details of the quick reaction force memo but emphasized the administration’s view that the Guard can be legally and constitutionally used for domestic response when necessary.
What’s Next
The memos give all states and U.S. territories until January 1, 2026, to fully stand up their quick reaction forces. These units are expected to become a permanent part of the National Guard’s domestic operations playbook.
The development signals a new era of military readiness aimed not just at foreign threats or natural disasters, but at homegrown civil disruptions. With political tensions still high nationwide, the implementation of these forces will likely remain under scrutiny from civil liberties groups, lawmakers, and the public.
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