South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has sent South Carolina national guard members to Washington, DC to assist in policing the so-called “emergency” in the city declared by President Donald Trump. This is a very bad idea for three reasons.
First, during hurricane and flood season, with depleted resources from FEMA (thanks to Trump), McMaster may need every member of the South Carolina National Guard right here as first responders. Do we want to wait days for them to be recalled from DC in case of an emergency?
Second, we have crime in every city in South Carolina. Do we want our National Guard, or the Guards from other states, to enter these cities, or do we want the local police to handle local problems? Just ask the Charleston police force what they would prefer.
Third, do we really want national guard troops setting up check points in American cities and stopping civilians just because Donald Trump says there is a crime “emergency” that the military must address? Is this the America in which you want to live? Think how troops on the street would transform a city like Charleston, known nationally as a welcoming city that likes a good party.
It’s too bad Governor McMaster is incapable of being his own man and getting out from the shadow of Donald Trump.