A farmer had every right to defend his own field. The law allowed him to call on his sons when shadows crossed the fence line. One night, seeing figures in the corn, he did just that — and he was right.
But then, unsatisfied, he went further. He pulled sons from his neighbors’ houses, yanking them from their own fields, insisting they too defend his ground. Suddenly, what began as a lawful act of protection looked like trespass. His neighbors, who had been ready to nod in agreement, now shook their heads.
What was sound and justified turned into overreach. The farmer lost the merit of his stand — not because he lacked the right, but because he couldn’t resist pushing beyond it. In the end, he was his own worst enemy.
Donald Trump is such a farmer.
The Home Rule Act makes clear that Washington, D.C. is different from other cities. Under Section 740, the President has the authority to federalize the D.C. police and deploy the D.C. National Guard in times of emergency. That power is clear, and I wrote favorably of his decision to use it. Federal law (10 U.S.C. § 12406; D.C. Code § 49–409) also confirms the President’s direct command over the D.C. Guard.
But here’s where things went off the rails: the law does not extend to Guard troops from other states. That’s why Mr. Trump had to request the West Virginia Guard, not order it. By reaching beyond the scope and intent of the Home Rule Act, Mr. Trump weakened the political and legal foundation of his action. What could have stood as a legitimate assertion of authority instead looked like overreach — stripping away merit and credibility.
It’s another example of Mr. Trump being his own worst enemy: taking a sound position, then pushing too far and undoing his own case.
Will the Governor pay a political price for deployment? Perhaps or perhaps not. There is cover in answering the call of the Commander-in-Chief — especially one who enjoys sky-high popularity in West Virginia. Political opponents will tread carefully here; few want to risk being painted as unsupportive of our Guard given Morrisey’s decision to honor Mr. Trump’s request.
Vermont’s Republican governor did not honor a similar request painting a clear contrast. South Carolina and Ohio say they will send Guard troops to D.C.
All Guardsmen deserve nothing but our unconditional support — whether Mr. Trump is right or wrong.
As for me, Trump was granted the benefit of the doubt believing his actions fell within the bounds of the Home Rule Act. A benefit and belief now in suspense given this escalation. The weekend’s events, and those yet to come, may indeed prove me wrong? It wouldn’t be the first time if so, and it won’t be the last. We shall see.