Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced today that the West Virginia National Guard’s mission in Washington, D.C., will continue through the remainder of 2026.
“President Trump’s leadership in prioritizing the safety and security of our nation’s capital has enabled this vital mission, and our brave Guardsmen are proud to volunteer and make Washington, D.C. safer and stronger,” Morrisey said in an announcement of the mission’s continuing duration.
“The men and women of the West Virginia National Guard stand firmly with President Trump in this effort, and we are honored to support his commitment to public safety.”
National outlets recently reported that the National Guard’s mission overall in Washington, D.C., would extend through the remainder of the year. The specifics about West Virginia’s continued participation through that point is new.
Right now, more than 2,600 National Guard troops from the District of Columbia and nearly a dozen states are active in the U.S. capital after being called up in August.
West Virginia National Guard members Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24, were shot Nov. 26 at the corner of 17th and I Streets NW. Beckstrom died on Thanksgiving Day, and Wolfe continues to recover from serious injuries.
On August 11, President Donald Trump declared a “crime emergency” for the District of Columbia, and five days later Governor Morrisey deployed 300 to 400 members of the West Virginia National Guard for support.
The president’s emergency declaration, which placed the Metropolitan Police Department under federal direction, expired after 30 days, Sept. 10, but the National Guard presence continued.
In November, state officials announced that the West Virginia National Guard would continue to participate in the presence in Washington, D.C., through at least Dec. 31.
Morrisey, in that announcement, described a re-evaluation of extending the mission every quarter through the end of fiscal 2026.
Now the deployment officially lasts through all of 2026.
State officials say the West Virginia National Guard’s mission in Washington, D.C. includes providing logistics, administrative, and public affairs support, Joint Staff augmentation, and both static and roving presence patrols.
“This mission reflects the high level of readiness and professionalism of the West Virginia National Guard,” said Major General Jim Seward, the state’s adjutant general.
“Our men and women are well-trained, prepared to serve wherever they are called, and trusted to carry out any task. I am proud to serve with them and proud of the way they represent our state.”