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D.C. Mayor’s Request for National Guard Response to Migrants Denied

D.C. Mayor’s Request for National Guard Response to Migrants Denied
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser | Image by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

The Department of Defense (DOD) on Friday denied Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s request for National Guard troops to assist with what she has called a “growing humanitarian crisis” regarding the migrants being sent to the nation’s capital.

Since April, Republican Governors Greg Abbott of Texas and Doug Ducey of Arizona have sent more than 7,000 migrants on voluntary bus rides to the nation’s capital.

In a letter to Christopher Rodriguez, director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency in Washington, D.C., Kelly Bulliner Holly, executive secretary of the DOD, stated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had provided local nonprofits with enough resources to handle the influx of migrants.

“After careful consideration the Department has concluded it cannot fulfill your request,” the letter obtained by NBC News read.

“I understand a non-Governmental Organization (NGO), SAMU First Response, has received federal grant funding via the Emergency Food and Shelter Program by FEMA for this mission,” Holly’s letter continued. “Notably this program supplements funding for humanitarian relief efforts by government and social service organizations for the purposes of providing shelter and supportive services to families and individuals.”

A DOD spokesperson confirmed the denial in a statement to multiple news outlets.

“We have determined providing this support would negatively impact the readiness of the DCNG and have negative effects on the organization and members,” the spokesperson said.

Bowser had requested an open-ended deployment of 150 National Guard members and a “suitable federal location” for a mass housing and processing center.

The mayor has labeled the situation “a federal issue that demands a federal response.”

The nonprofits assisting the migrants arriving in D.C. received a $1 million FEMA grant but have warned that their resources and personnel are being exhausted.

“This reliance on NGOs is not working and is unsustainable — they are overwhelmed and underfunded,” Bowser stated in her request.

Reuters reported Wednesday that Bowser’s request had caused tensions within the Biden administration.

White House officials reportedly disagreed with Bowser calling the situation a “crisis,” a word the administration has avoided using when discussing the border, and described her request as unnecessary.

In a Friday morning press conference, Bowser said she was aware the request was denied but doubled down on calling the situation a “crisis” that requires a federal response.

She added that her office might send an amended request to DOD, saying the city is overwhelmed.

“When we have a growing humanitarian crisis that we expect, that the federal government expects is only going to worsen, I have got to deploy the resources that I need to handle it and we need our National Guard,” she said.

Bowser claimed that D.C. is not the final destination for many migrants arriving in the area, so a site where NGOs can assist those waiting to go elsewhere is necessary.

“In many cases, they are boarding buses being lied to about what’s going to be on the other end and they’re still not where they want to be,” she claimed. “Now if the federal government’s not going to do it, they need to at least get out of our way and give us the resources that we need and our National Guard and a site.”

Gov. Abbott, who has been highly critical of the Biden administration’s border policies, said Bowser is only seeing a fraction of the problem that border states are facing.

“Washington D.C. finally understands what Texans have been dealing with every single day, as our communities are overrun and overwhelmed by thousands of illegal immigrants thanks to President Biden’s open border policies,” read a statement from Gov. Abbott’s office in response to Bowser’s request for National Guard assistance.

On Friday, Gov. Abbott announced he was beginning to offer migrants voluntary bus rides to New York City as well, with the first bus arriving Friday morning.

“Because of President Biden’s continued refusal to acknowledge the crisis caused by his open border policies, the State of Texas has had to take unprecedented action to keep our communities safe,” said Gov. Abbott.

“In addition to Washington, D.C., New York City is the ideal destination for these migrants, who can receive the abundance of city services and housing that Mayor Eric Adams has boasted about within the sanctuary city,” the governor added. “I hope he follows through on his promise of welcoming all migrants with open arms so that our overrun and overwhelmed border towns can find relief.”

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13 Comments

  1. Mozark

    Great move, Texas.

    Reply
    • RiverKing

      Didn’t realize until reading this article that Arizona Governor Ducey is also bussing illegals to DC.

      Welcome aboard, Governor.

      Reply
  2. Bobby

    shoot the invaders on sight in the Rio Grande and stack the bodies as a fence

    Reply
    • Mozark

      These people are doing what anyone in similar situation would do, it’s the predators and their political enablers that are the chief problem.

      Reply
    • DON

      That’s what all of the Native Americans and other Indigenous people from around the world should done to your thieving ancestors! So insensitive to people plight!

      Reply
  3. VoiceofSanity

    It took sending less than 1% of the migrants to D.C. for the Mayor to call it a crisis. The White House cannot ignore this anymore. If they do, I suggest sending the rest of the 1,993,000 migrants to the Capitol steps. It is sad there is no accountability in the Democrat party.

    Reply
    • caseyp

      Exactly! If the Biden administration would close the border the mayor of DC would have noting to worry about.

      Reply
      • DON

        Last time I checked! Each state is responsible for their borders! That’s why there are these people called the National Guard! Seek out the truth before you post ignorance and false information

        Reply
  4. caseyp

    Her request should have been denied. She denied President Trump’s request for National Guard troops three times before Democrat operatives stormed the Capitol. Now she’s unhappy about a few thousand illegal in DC. Texas, New Mexico and Arizona get many times that amount crossing into their states every day. Why not send troops to the border to stop the invasion before they can come to DC to begin with?

    Reply
    • DON

      Are you you ignorant or just dumb? Every Governor has control of their National Guard units and can activate them in the event of an emergency! Your Dementia having, racist, ignorant former resident of Pennsylvania Ave activated the Guard when he wanted flex on peaceful protestor, but not for his hooligans, domestic terrorist, rebel rousing buddies on 1/6/21!

      Reply
  5. DON

    People are hypocrites! This is how Native Americans and other Indigenous people feel, when all of your European ancestors invaded their lands and infested it with disease, stole their natural resources, raped their women and killed the males! What’s up with that? 🤔

    Reply
  6. CITIZEN

    Please send at least 8 to 10 bus loads to mayorkas home town of LA since he lives in a sanctuary city/state. He should proudly receive them with open arms and ivite them to his home and pelosi’s home for ice cream.

    Reply
  7. kevin

    Gov. Abott needs to send ALL these illegal migrants to leftists sanctuary cities across America, Commie-fornia cities, and start with Delaware.

    Reply

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  1. Liberals Get A Taste Of Their Own Illegal Invasion And Are Throwing Temper Tantrums – Sanctuary Cities Now Complaining About Being Forced To Actually Give Sanctuary To Illegal Immigrants – The Altar of Deceit - […] of DC, Muriel Bowser, even went as far to demand National Guard to help, which the Pentagon denied. NYC Mayor,…

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