Wicker: National Guard Promotes Public Safety

I recently led a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to examine the deployment of the National Guard to several American cities. Over the past several months, President Trump has directed Guardsmen to come alongside local and federal law enforcement agencies to help restore order.

From 2019 to 2024, the violent crime rate in cities increased more than 60 percent. Last year, it was double the rate in rural areas. As the violence skyrocketed, some mayors actually weakened their police departments, leaving law enforcement officers with fewer resources to protect the public. Americans grew increasingly worried for their safety.

Guard Promotes Law and Order

President Trump recognized the unacceptable level of crime and sought to help under-resourced police departments. This led him to deploy National Guard units around the country, including to our nation's capital.

A quick look at Washington, D.C., crime statistics demonstrates that these service members have had a positive effect. Guardsmen from several states, including Mississippi, began deploying to Washington, D.C., in August. Within two months, overall crime had fallen by 27 percent compared to the same period in 2024. Robberies decreased by 54 percent, and there were 53 percent fewer motor vehicle thefts. Homicides decreased by 61 percent.

In our Senate hearing, my colleagues and I also noted the horrific shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., just before Thanksgiving. We remembered Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, who lost her life. We expressed our hope that Air Force Staff Sergeant Andrew Wolfe will continue showing signs of progress and make a full recovery.

The National Guard has been successful because it is uniquely suited to help law enforcement agencies fight crime. It provides manpower, resources, and expertise that some local police departments lack. Guard units can perform search-and-rescue operations, provide logistical support, and handle large crowds. Guardsmen mobilize quickly. Mississippians are familiar with the immediate relief the Guard brings after natural disasters. These diverse skill sets make the National Guard well-suited to help lower crime.

Guardsmen Are Well-Trained and Restrained

These deployments have been hotly debated. The recent Senate hearing gave me the chance to address some frequently raised concerns.

Some have worried that the deployments are a waste of money. To the contrary, I would reply that crime imposes immense costs on a community. Others have said President Trump is lowering troop readiness. In fact, these deployments are an opportunity for units to enhance cohesion and ensure training is complete.

A few critics allege that the president is violating the Posse Comitatus Act. That law forbids the military from performing police work on American soil, except in specific circumstances. But Guardsmen serve only in support roles. They protect federal employees and federal buildings, and they provide logistics and communications to law enforcement officers. Most importantly, they are a visible security presence, which deters crime.

The men and women of the National Guard are well-trained professionals. They understand and obey the Standing Rules of the Use of Force. These rules prohibit the use of force except in self-defense. In other words, Americans can trust these service members to exercise restraint as they protect the public.

Ideally, the president should not have to deploy the National Guard to our nation's cities. But some mayors, such as those in nearby Memphis and New Orleans, have welcomed the assistance. In our system of checks and balances, local officials have every right to challenge the president's decisions in court. Though many cases are ongoing, the Ninth Circuit has found the Portland, Oregan, deployment to be lawful. The Supreme Court is also considering the issue.

As litigation continues, it is my hope that officials will take this moment as an invitation. We must reinvest in local crime-fighting efforts that will keep the public safe.