The National Guard is in our Cities: What Now?
A closer look at the 1,700 soldiers stationed in our cities and our response
When media outlets reported Trump’s plan to mobilize 1,700 National Guard troops to 19 states, a chill spread across the U.S. On social media platforms, post after post surfaced. Each speculated as to the implications of this move. Was this the first stage of martial law?
Fear wrapped its fingers around our throat, strangling out hope. With it, renewed predictions of violence surfaced. A palpable fear has settled in the hearts of many.
Then yesterday, the White House released an Executive Order, directing the Secretary of Defense to “In coordination with the respective adjutants general, the Secretary of Defense shall designate an appropriate number of each State’s trained National Guard members to be reasonably available for rapid mobilization…” to quell “civil disturbances.'“
We cannot underestimate this order. History is a chain of pivotal moments—some seemingly insignificant, others blatant. This is one such time.
However, as tempting as it is, we should not overestimate it either.
Let me be clear, this Executive Order should send a chill through our democracy. The President is laying the foundation upon which a case for violence against protesters could be built. He wants troops in our cities. Military parades and banners of his image splayed across landmarks are his fantasy. Still, there is more to THIS deployment than meets the eye.
So, what do we do? Let’s first examine this moment, and then, let’s look at how we ought to respond.
Understanding the Moment
On August 8, I read an article by the Nevada Independent. The headline stated, “Lombardo to authorize Nevada National Guard to support ICE operations.”
According to their reporting, “‘the request focuses on clerical, administrative and logistical support—not law enforcement duties’ and that about 35 guardsmen, representing less than 1 percent of the state’s entire National Guard, will support the request.”
Though this story did not make a splash in the headlines until last week, DHS has been recruiting support from Republican governors for months.
TIMELINE Of EVENTS
Prior to 2024 | Both under President Bush and President Obama, National Guard personnel supported the work of DHS at the border. In April of 2018, hundreds of National Guard troops were stationed in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas to support border security (Here is a second article). In addition in 2023, the Guard offered support at the border.
May 15 | D.H.S. asks governors for 20,000 National Guard troops.
July 21 | A U.S. official told NPR that hundreds of National Guard from Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, South Carolina, Utah and Virginia were expected to assist with operations.
July 28 | South Dakota announced it would supply an unspecified number of Nation Guardsmen.
August 5-8 | Article and press releases announced that Idaho, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia would commit troops. Indiana announced support on August 1, 2025
August 12 & 13 | Articles by the Spectrum News and Newsweek revealed that twenty Republican governors had already pledged their National Guards.
In May, Trump requested 20,000 soldiers. Three months later, he announced pledges from 19 governors for up to 1,700 guardsmen. That’s 8.5% of the force he requested. Many of the states had already been assisting ICE.
Furthermore, the numbers from individual states are lackluster—up to 14 from Idaho, 35 in Nevada, 60 in Virginia, 200 in Florida spread across at least nine offices, 40 in South Carolina, 6 in South Dakota. And Vermont, said, “No thanks.”
In case you’re wondering, this is not what winning looks like. This is not an all-powerful dictator declaring, “I need 20,000 soldiers,” and 19 Republican governors shouting, “Yes, Mr. President.” Not a single state has promised a tenth of their forces, even if you factor in those sent to DC.
This is a failure, not a success. He could not muster the numbers he demanded, even from his loyalists. Waving the a banner of up to 1,700 is a publicity stunt—an attempt to stir fear and violence.
And still, we have cause for concern. Will he leverage this moment to smooth a path for further militarization by normalizing the presence of troops in our cities? Will we, in turn, permit this action to rake away our qualms? He hopes so. We cannot.
When fear threatens to drive us to the brink of hopelessness, we must remember that he is not invincible.
Yes, he threatens tariffs only to withdraw them 🌮. (Unless, of course, you inhabit an island of penguins.)
Yes, he met with Putin; yet, they failed to reach an agreement and ended talks prematurely.
Yes, he is doing awful things, yet every week an increasing number of governors, healthcare leaders, judges, representatives, and every-day people are saying, “Not today.”
And yes, 1,700 soldiers have been deployed to assist ICE rather than the 20,000 he requested.
Our president is a weak-willed, ailing cult leader who peddles merch in the Oval Office. Instead of cowering, we must act. Here’s how.
How Can We Respond?
First, if you have been waiting to attend a protest, speak out at a town hall, post a flag in your window, or join an action group, this is your sign. No more burying our heads. Today is the day.
Social change begins with the individual, then a cluster of people, and eventually en masse. A strike or a mass economic black out would be incredibly effective, but we must first build resistance muscle and capacity. At this phase, we all need to be learning, recruiting, and engaging.
1. Educate Yourself
Each of us must understand this history of nonviolent resistance, its effectiveness, and strategies.
READ THESE
A Checklist for Ending Tyranny by Peter Ackerman (condensed)
A Checklist for Ending Tyranny by Peter Ackerman (151 pages)
Streetwise & Steady: A Workbook for Action Peacekeepers or Event Marshals
A Practical Guide to Democracy on the Brink
WATCH THESE
One Million Rising
A national effort to train one million people in the strategic logic and practice of non-cooperation, as well as the basics of community organizing and campaign design.
Hands Off De-escalation Training
2. Demand Action from you Representatives
We must demand resistance from our representatives, from the town hall to the floor of the Senate. In every sector and level of government, it is time for Democratic leadership to join the opposition. It is time they stop bringing a spoon to a proverbial knife fight.
So how do we do this? We attend town halls, council meetings, press conferences, school board meetings, office hours, etc. and demand our representatives serve the people. Whether you ask your city council to address food shortages left in the wake of SNAP cuts or address housing shortages, get loud.
It may not move the needle today or next month, but we must hold them accountable. We must drag these issues out of our living rooms and into the main streets.
Here are a couple of tips
Research how public commentary in your locality is handled.
Research the people you are speaking to.
Prepare a speech ahead of time. Here is a tool.
Know your rights. Here is an article from Georgetown.
Don’t go alone. Ask a friend to record you. Share it or keep it for public record.
3: Find your Place in the Resistance
A movement begins with one person. In some of your cities, groups have already formed. Join them. If you are unable to find a group, create one.
FORM A GROUP | Here are groups that can help you get started.
Indivisible’s One Million Rising can help you get started.
Connect with 50501 to host civil actions.
Workers Over Billionaires is raising up 10 million people.
FIND A GROUP | Here are couple ways to find people already doing the work:
Search by State | Every week, on my resource list, I provide a link to activities happening in your state. Each is sponsored by a local organization. Scan those then connect with the organizer. Find it HERE.
Search by Interest | My weekly list of actions represents hundreds of groups. Scroll through the protest titles to find one that matches your passion. Click on it to see the sponsoring organization. Even if they are not in your state, connect. Perhaps you can launch a similar group in your area. Search HERE.
Step 4: Attend an Upcoming Rally
There are three demonstrations coming this month—September 1 and 20 and a march spanning September 6-19. This article has information about all three.
These are a wonderful first step for people new to civil resistance. BRING ONE PERSON.
Step 5: Get Loud
It’s time to disrupt daily life everywhere, everyday. Speak at public forums, post banners and signs, talk about what is happening with family and friends, post signs in businesses, chalk it at the park, etc.
We have seen changes when we speak. Target, Avelo, and Tesla are struggling. That was, in part, us—regular people getting loud and staying loud.
Go to town halls. Recruit neighbors to ask businesses, homes, and churches to place signs in their windows welcoming immigrants or standing for workers. The possibilities are endless.
If you are a graphic artist and are willing to donate time, connect with me. I’d love to make posters available to my subscribers.
There is much that can be done. Stand together. And, as always, happy dissenting.
K
First understand. Then act.
We will get there. I believe we will get to 3.5%. A national strike is in our future. Thanks for showing us the way.
Even if you think there’s nothing you can do, there is always going to be something. The time is now. It’s much easier to stop something before it is entrenched. We can do this together. We must.