Overview
- Leaked National Guard Bureau memos direct all states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to stand up dedicated quick reaction forces trained for riot and crowd control.
- Most states are assigned about 500 troops for these units, with smaller jurisdictions receiving fewer, totaling roughly 23,500 personnel nationwide.
- The guidance details training in formation tactics, de-escalation, and use of batons, shields, Tasers, and pepper spray, with each state set to receive 100 crowd-control equipment sets and on-site trainers.
- Washington, D.C. is instructed to build a specialized military police battalion with a 50-person full-time element ready within 90 days and full strength targeted by 2027.
- U.S. officials told Reuters it remains unclear how these forces differ from existing Guard rapid-response capabilities, which already require up to 125 troops in eight hours and 375 more within 24 hours.