The National Guard and Police Support in the District of Columbia
Abstract
On Friday, Oct. 22, 1993, the Mayor of Washington, D.C. requested authority from the President to activate the D.C. National Guard to support the District's efforts of stemming violent crime. The Mayor's request to the President (and notification of certain Members of Congress) had implications beyond the issue of using the Guard to control crime. These implications include: constitutional issues concerning control over the National Guard, military concerns over the use of the Guard as a part of the Total Force concept, fiscal and budgetary considerations, and political arguments concerning D.C. statehood. Ultimately, the Mayor's request was rejected by the President on constitutional grounds. However, had the President allowed Guard troops to be mobilized, it is the thesis of this paper that bureaucratic, legal and political pressures would have been brought to bear to limit the Guard's effectiveness. Indeed, it can be argued that these pressures also played a role in the President's decision to reject the Mayor's request. In considering this issue, this paper describes those background events that led to the Mayor's request. This paper also discusses the role of the National Guard, its dual status, and, its unique structure in regard to the District of Columbia. Next, the constitutional issues are examined. Finally, this paper considers the politically contentious nature of the Mayor's request and argues that the bureaucratic and political forces, as they emerged, would serve to limit the Guard's role.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA440888
Entities
People
- David F. Burrelli
Organizations
- National War College