Maryland National Guard Reaction Force and Its Implications
A National Guard spokesman explained that these on-call units have existed for about 20 years in every state and territory, serving as a response force available to governors.
Following a memo from a high-ranking military official before the midterm elections, all states and territories were ordered to establish reaction forces prepared for crowd and riot control. The Maryland National Guard emphasized this as a top priority, requiring hundreds of soldiers to be ready to deploy by April.
Concerns Over Use in Protests and Elections
Former military personnel and legislators worry that the new reaction force might suppress peaceful protests or intimidate voters during future elections. A public safety analyst told The Baltimore Sun that deploying the National Guard to handle crime is both unprecedented and financially imprudent.
Recent Protests and National Guard Deployment
Since President Donald Trump took office, “No Kings” protests have appeared in major cities, including Baltimore, focusing on issues such as rising health care costs linked to Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” passed by Congress in the summer, and the ongoing federal government shutdown—the longest in U.S. history.
“These on-call elements have existed for approximately 20 years in every state and territory as a response force available to governors.”
A public safety analyst told The Baltimore Sun the use of the National Guard to address crime is unprecedented, costly and unwise.
Past Attempts to Use National Guard for Protest Control
President Trump has at times attempted to deploy the National Guard to suppress demonstrations, including efforts in Portland where protests outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility had become increasingly contentious.
Author's summary: The Maryland National Guard's expanded role in crowd control raises fears about potential misuse to suppress protests and influence elections, reflecting broader national debates on protest management and civil rights.