WASHINGTON, D.C. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer sent a letter to the head of Michigan's National Guard on June 29, 2026, directing that troops in Washington, D.C., support only operations related to America 250 celebrations. Whitmer stated she would withdraw Michigan troops if they were used for the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission.

Whitmer's letter outlined specific limitations for the deployment. "Please take all necessary measures to ensure the Michigan National Guard is only supporting the narrow and limited America 250 Mission and is in no way supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission," Whitmer wrote. She also inquired about the scope of the mission, stating, "If the National Guard has defined the America 250 Mission to extend beyond direct support for events celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary, please let me know so we can ensure the Michigan National Guard's efforts are carefully limited." The letter stated that if the mission could not be limited, she would "end Michigan's support for the America 250 mission."

Michigan has 161 National Guard members currently in Washington, D.C. A video circulated on social media showing troops identifying themselves as Michigan National Guard members patrolling the Georgetown waterfront, which is more than a mile away from official America 250 celebration sites. Michigan is one of four Democratic-led states that sent National Guard members to Washington, D.C., ahead of the celebrations. Troops from all four Democratic-led states are included in the official federal joint task force numbers released to the public.

Whitmer said Michigan troops should not be part of the federal joint task force count. Spokespeople for other Democratic governors stated their guard members should also not be included in the count. When contacted by NPR, spokespeople for each respective Democratic governor's office made it clear that their guard members were sent to help specifically with America 250, not for law enforcement purposes as part of the larger ongoing federal joint task force operation.

Kentucky recalled its one National Guard member from Washington, D.C., over the weekend prior to June 29, 2026. "Kentucky confirmed to NPR Monday that it had recalled its one guard member over the weekend, after that member was 'diverted to the task force by the federal government without the knowledge or consent of Gov. Beshear of the Kentucky Guard,'" Scottie Ellis, a spokesperson for Gov. Beshear, wrote to NPR in an email.

Why It Matters

Whitmer's directive illustrates state-level control over National Guard deployments even when operating under federal status, specifically Title 32, which allows governors to maintain command. The situation indicates a divergence in understanding regarding the mission of state National Guard units deployed to Washington, D.C., with governors emphasizing support for specific events while federal task force numbers include these troops in broader operations.