Public opinion on Trump's proposed deployment of National Guard troops is highly polarized. Supporters emphasize the need for enhanced safety and crime control in cities like Chicago, while a significant portion of the public expresses alarm over militarization, constitutional concerns, and fears of authoritarianism. The sentiment reflects a clash between a desire for security and apprehensions regarding civil liberties.

Donald Trump

National Guard

local law enforcement

Chicago City Government

The states:


- Alabama

- Arkansas

- Florida

- Georgia

- Idaho

- Indiana

- Iowa

- Louisiana

- Nebraska

- Nevada

- New Mexico

- Ohio

- South Carolina

- South Dakota

- Tennessee

- Texas

- Utah

- Virginia

- Wyoming


Honestly, less blue than I would’ve thought.

doctor_of_drugs

“….That I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Constitution *before* POTUS.

RegattaJoe

Meanwhile, Russia attacked US assets in Ukraine and all trump did was tuck tail and hide. What an embarrassing time to serve.

Roriborialus

Here is what I don’t understand.  What kind of responsibility will they have?  What is their goal?  Will they patrol all neighborhoods or just the ones with black and brown people?  Will I see military vehicles in my neighborhood?

I do not like this.  He is side stepping the Construction.

JASPER933

Yeah, the boots on the ground not knowing what Posse Comitatus is is probably the wrong fucking answer.

Intelligent11B

redditcreditcardz

You people saying i was shocked they aren’t blue states, it’s because he’s building up on safe bets, states that will accept this stupid bullshit because they are MuRiCaN.. come on…

Disciple_THC

I assess there is a method to this madness.  Repeated deployments, including the new set into red states where a ton of propaganda can be generated that this is positive and normal and then a barrage of "dems hate America/military/everything else" and an attempt to push NG units into blue states riding that propaganda wave.

Blue state governors need to start planning now how to counteract this.

The goal is easy - just read Project 2025s manifesto:  an end of democracy and free elections and institution of a white nationalist Christian state where all power resides with the men.

lifeisahighway2023

Normalizing military presence in civilian areas to con us into thinking this is acceptable.

What do you want to bet all those states are blue ?

Hot-Comfort8839

I’m not a military person…. Just a concerned civilian. What happens to an enlisted military person who doesn’t want to/refuses to follow these clearly unconstitutional orders? 

drippingwater57

shevy-java

This is about normalizing this kind of unprecedented overreach and generating "look how well it works" propaganda. I'd expect the administration to talk about how much crime has dropped after the deployments and try to take credit for violent crime rates that have been falling ever since the end of COVID. With this many locations they'll be able to just propagandize anything that happens, good or bad, anywhere near these troops and just keep trying to normalize this with volume.

Splurch

I’ve had enough. Fuck all the active duty and NG members that support this shit. They can rot. -Former SGT in US Army.

ionbear1

I sincerely hope we start seeing service personnel say no, and refuse to deploy. To be deployed against the peaceful citizens of this country is against everything the founders believed in.

Bend-Playing-13

Holy crap, just release the Epstein Files, this is an asinine cover

MommaBearJam

At what point do we actively oppose these orders? Not just complain about them on Social.Media, but actually take action against these moves by the
President?

Wayfaring_Scout

Economy about to take a hard hit. Going to cause a lot of desperate people...

Dmo32

The red states are the United States' version of Belarus

Bagheera383

This shit has got to stop.  Somebody needs to flush that turd out of the White House.

ElephantContent8835

I'm sure the National Guard in these states are super thrilled with this news......

I'm sure when they joined the National Guard they would be deployed as clerical assistance and prison guards at questionable detention facilities

CyrusBuelton

buffaloburley

This is about elections and the congressional apportionment. It’s why they are deporting so many immigrants and they are going after blue cities in red states.

Different-Ad-9029

He is sending it to Urban areas of Red States.  Republicans hate cities and city dwellers, because cities are liberal and don't vote Red. 

Don't kid yourself about what is really going on.  They will stay there through the midterms and suppress voting enough that Republicans win everything.

Fight.

MonkeyKing01

Military members should turn on the ICE agents and detain/stop-by-all-means the ICE agents who are kidnapping American citizens. It's what our oaths actually mean. Protecting the US from enemies both foreign and domestic.

probable-human

Orange Boy not looking very squared-away lately. Clock running out? And this Epstein business….

Jeffery_G

Probably pretty important to point out that the NG is deploying FROM 19 states, not TO 19 states.  The NG is mostly coming from red states where the governors are cooperative - but I’d bet several of my next paychecks that they won’t be deploying to any red states, regardless of the crime stats.  They’ll be deployed only to blue state metro areas where the propaganda value is the highest.

FatPinkMaester

Rude-Particular-7131

Don't touch civilians. They might touch you back.

Icy-Imagination-1060

It seems that he's chosen 19 "red" friendly states now, so he can say he's not targeting "blue" states toward the midterms.

DrawingAncient126

Weary_Importance_598

Umm out of curiosity, are we at war? Like red state versus blue? Cuz i have some concerns.

BubbliFae

BTW  
This is not just about logistics, these military units are being used and are planned to be used as law enforcement boots on the ground.  Pretending they will just do paperwork is what the nazis want you to keep saying.

&gt;

&gt;“Wes Moore’s record on Crime is a very bad one, unless he fudges his figures on crime like many of the other ‘Blue States’ are doing,” Trump wrote, as he cited a pejorative nickname he uses frequently for the California governor. “But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newscum did in L.A., I will send in the ‘troops,’ which is being done in nearby DC, and quickly clean up the Crime.”

raistan77

Any troop patrolling my state is no battle buddy of mine. 

suns3t-h34rt-h4nds

Donnie is champing at the bit, anxious to convert the National Guard into his version of the Gestapo.

Lab-man57

Serious question y’all. Is this martial law without calling it martial law? Martial law lite? I live in CT so I know they aren’t coming here but my anxiety is so high. 

Apprehensive-Log3343

"A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed", with the militia part being hand-waved away and purely self-defense purposes being acceptable as of DC vs Heller 2008.

Nothing about deploying soldiers on domestic soil sounds necessary to the security of a free State. And unfortunately the citizens' right to bear arms will likely be infringed if they take issue with said deployment.

All in all very dark times for our nation. Days away from being a dictatorship.

Mapex

Yeah I live in Utah, and the most crime we see through most of the state is shoplifting even in the "blue" cities. 

I really hope the people in this state with their straight ticket voting take the blinders off to what is really happening here.

I-Oncewasapotato

There are red states with similar or worse crime than DC- yet he only wants to deploy in Blue states- this is to normalize military in the street-he wants the US to become a banana republic-no more elections

True_Maize_3735

since it is being enacted at federal level, can't the units be deployed to states other than their own?

therealpursuit

If only we had a nation who armed themselves just in case the government tried to take over. Now is your time to shine, folks!

beernbrowns23

So what are we supposed to do if we live in those states

basketballonice

Acezedneo1

This reminds me Nazi’s but as someone who has been part of military machine I will say that I don’t see them shooting civilians,,, again.

ozzborn586

daringlyorganic

That'll just increase the number of veterans and citizens that get picked up.

aintthatjustheway

What's crazy is... Trump was a lifelong Democrat. Like this needs to be studied. Nobody with that wealth(debatable if Trump really is worth what he says) wants to lose money &amp; become public enemy #1. The assaination attempts are gonna be wild until 2028. 

I understand he's on a temper tantrum for dens fucking up his first term and almost getting him thrown in jail. But holy shit, make peace, so SOME good and try to leave office better than you left it in 16. 

Idk if it's him or his advisors.

rychy_rych

What's going on in iowa that requires the guard to be activated as law enforcement?

Boring-Original-2968

can officials have state cops deny their access?

WaltyMcNalty

🚨He is setting the stage to executive order defense agencies to seize voting machines and interfere with the midterms in order to cling on to power. This has to be stopped! 🚨

“The order empowers the defense secretary to “seize, collect, retain and analyze all machines, equipment, electronically stored information, and material records required for retention under” a U.S. law that relates to preservation of election records.”

https://www.politico.com/f/?id=0000017e-920d-d65f-a77e-fbad182f0000

Famous-Ask1004

&gt; The deployments will take place across the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming, per Fox.

Fit_Trifle2469

Because you begin with the areas that are least likely to resist and build momentum.

eddnedd

The states cover a lot of the access points to the east/west interstates

modernsparkle

No one is safe in a police state. Why don't people understand this? Blue, Red, it doesn't matter. The Guard has become his pawns.

The breaking point is coming.

Nervous-Coffee-1117

Pretty sure the founding fathers wrote down an amendment that was about how to keep our freedoms in situations like this.

Miss-Information_

He's going to take over the states that are easy first, then he'll move on to the tougher states where more force is necessary... expect things to get incredibly violent once the takeover reaches more blue states and resistance grows.

Annihilator4413

I bet people are going to “whew at least it’s not my state and city” and they will ignore everything until it’s their city. This is civil war man 

AppalachanKommie

Dictatorships *always* turn the military *inwards* towards the people.

How to tell if you are living in a democracy:  The military surrounds the country with it's back to the people, protecting them from foreign threats.

How to tell if you are in a dictatorship:  The military faces the people, threatening them directly.

MelaKnight_Man

You can deploy the babysitters to 19 states but doesn't change that **Trump fucked children**. 


I feel bad for our military members, have to bend the knee for a literal pedophile. Junkies in prison wouldn't be caught dead in that position.

Lost_Installation

If you haven’t already done so, Monday is a great time to:

Register to vote, get your Real ID and/or apply for passport, get your birth certificate, make sure your tags and car insurance are up to date.

fruderduck

New Mexico, Nevada, Wyoming, Utah and Idaho box in California, OR and WA

TheGOODSh-tCo

Giving up all our rights to own the libs 🤡

NewFraige

Here is my guess: these are the states that were ok with him doing this, and he is doing it to set a precedent for when he goes into blue states, kind of a "look, we aren't targeting blue states we started in red states first and they were happy to have us" type of deal.

obsequious_fink

I bet the "DoN't TrEaD oN mE" flag-waving folks will be counter-protesters somewhere soon..

Ekskwizit

&gt;Why is he deploying the guard to red states?

Because, interestingly enough, some of the cities with the highest/worst crime are in red states. It'll be interesting to see if people in those states have the same enthusiasm, for masked soldiers and tanks being deployed on their streets, as they did when it was happening in Los Angles and Washington D.C.

Edit: spelling.

coldadaptation

Fox News has become the ministry of truth, whatever they say is gospel.  Republican propagandists are creating reality out of thin air.

glitterandnails

Why? Because they’ll face the least resistance there and it’ll be easier to normalize this shit. People will get used to seeing it, and there won’t be much drama surrounding in red states. Then, when it’s time to send them into his real target areas people will think “I don’t need to do anything about this because they didn’t even do anything in the states they’ve already been in”. It’s a tactic to create less resistance.

SoooStoooopid

He wants us to get used to the military on the street so they can go after us if we dare protest against dear leader.

Chumptopia

Deploying _from_ these Republican controlled states.  Not necessarily to them.  They have Republican governors that will likely agree to give the President control of their National Guardsmen.  Because Republican governors are fine attacking blue states, I guess.

The “Balkanization” of the United States.

powersurge

I created this revolution warning-sign model a couple of weeks ago.

If the United States is now entering Stage 6 in our revolution warning-sign model, then historically the “Trigger Event” (Stage 7) that follows is usually:

•	A highly symbolic, emotionally charged incident that crystallizes public anger

•	Broadcast instantly across media, eroding fear of the state

•	Uniting multiple factions that normally distrust each other against a perceived common threat

Here are the types of trigger events history suggests could occur next:

⸻

1.	⁠State Violence Against Civilians:


.
Pattern: A single, shocking act of force—especially if caught on video—against unarmed citizens during protests or daily life.

Why It Matters: It destroys the illusion of restraint and convinces moderates the state is illegitimate.

Examples:

•	Boston Massacre (1770) 

•	Bloody Sunday in Russia (1905) 

•	Tunisian police assault on Mohamed Bouazizi before Arab Spring

⸻

2. Elite-Level Arrest or Assassination


Pattern: Jailing or killing of a popular political or cultural figure in a way seen as politically motivated.

Why It Matters: It signals the regime will not tolerate dissent even from insiders, making fence-sitters choose sides.

Examples:

•	Arrest of Solidarity leaders in Poland (1981) 

•	Assassination of Benazir Bhutto in Pakistan (2007)

⸻

3. Defection of a Major Security Force

Pattern: A police or military unit refuses orders or sides with demonstrators in real time.

Why It Matters: It breaks the perception of state monopoly on force.

Examples:

•	Petrograd garrison joining Russian strikers (1917) 

•	East German border guards allowing people to cross before the Berlin Wall fell (1989)

⸻

4. Mass Infrastructure Collapse

Pattern: A large-scale blackout, banking freeze, food distribution failure, or cyberattack that exposes state incapacity.

Why It Matters: It transforms frustration into survival panic and accelerates mobilization.

Examples:

•	Grain shortages before French Revolution 

•	Fuel crisis in Romania before 1989 uprising

⸻

5. Judicial or Legislative Coup

Pattern: A sudden legal or procedural maneuver that voids an election result, dissolves a legislature, or strips away major civil rights.

Why It Matters: Seen as ending any path for peaceful change, it forces dissenters into direct action.

Examples:

•	King Charles I dissolving Parliament (1642, English Civil War) 

•	Military junta annulling Algeria’s 1991 election

⸻

In the current U.S. climate

The most likely modern triggers would probably be:

.

1. Violent suppression of a large, peaceful protest in a politically symbolic city

2. An arrest of a prominent political figure in a way widely seen as illegitimate

3. Security force mutiny—for example, National Guard units refusing to enforce martial law

4. Sudden federal override of an election result or suspension of a constitutional process

￼​

JuicyNerdAlert

This is intended to overstress the NG and wreck morale, so that the apolitical professional soldiers will not re-enlist, leaving a force composed mostly of MAGA believers who will be happy to kill protesters.

Seattle_gldr_rdr

This is a step before civil war, getting us closer to the “trigger event.” The feds aren’t ready, which is why they haven’t added California or New York yet. This move is to gain more support, more troops, and more civilians who will blindly follow or be forced to follow. 

The precedent is set by ICE: if you do not comply, we will force you.

Conveniently, they are mostly important voting districts that could decide the midterms. Read into that as you will.

Puzzleheaded-Ad7606

You know why. It's the start of the military takeover; maybe the friendly states go easier so take them first to get the numbers and show power.  While targeting some blue cities to show he can and will prosecute his political enemies, but no sense fully battling two sides when you can get one to surrender and thank you for it

TheAlphaKiller17

 I’ve been saying over and over again stop saying “red states”. it does reflect the political majority in many places. Blue cities and metro areas exist in most if not ALL states “blue” or “red”. Blue is in fact the majority that they are making every move to suppress fully (see tx).

austin06

Yeah 4/19 are blue and purple states.  There are some really weird choices, like why Wyoming?  I lived there and yeah there are Mexicans but most of the state is white ranchers, oil workers, and miners who would die for Trump.

General_Nose_691

what a joke. what a waste of ALL OUR GODDAMN MONEY

mr_greedee

Suntree

It's not just a deployment of the national guard. WPO reports a Pentagon proposal would create a **“Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force”**—two units of about 300 National Guard soldiers each (totaling around 600)—stationed in Alabama and Arizona for rapid deployment nationwide, pending legal clearance.

Additionally, the existing deployment in DC will begin carrying guns. (The Guardian, AP News)

Vocal_Ham

The Guardsmen assisting ICE will be carrying out tasks that may include “personal data collection, fingerprinting, DNA swabbing and photographing"

emperor_dinglenads

Republicans would be losing their fucking minds if Obama or Biden did this to their cities. The hypocrisy is absolutely ridiculous 
.

rigatony96

Saved you the click, the states are:

Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming

brogz86

In Tennessee and glad I can currently easily purchase guns. I think the tipping point will be when national guard either fire on civilians or start dragging people from their homes.

Until then, arm yourself and familiarize yourself with asymmetrical warfare. Learn how to operate in cells, learn opsec for all of your important communications. I genuinely hope it doesn’t come to something like this but it never hurts to be prepared. Right wing nuts like to brag about having the military on their side but every veteran I’ve met (and I come from a family of veterans that have been in every war since WW2) is completely against things like this. Anyone that’s actually seen battle is against it happening here in my personal experience

JayTheDirty

1700 soldiers split across 19 states. That's about 89 soldiers per state. That's literally a backyard barbecue's equivalent of soldiers being sent to these states.

They'll occupy a block, arrest a couple of "illegal looking" people, call it a day, and pull out... maybe.

Stay prepared.

Malcolm_Morin

titaniumlid

[deleted]

sjb2971

Same reason he raided Bolton before he raids Clinton

Velo214

Every member of the NG guard who obeys this unconstitutional order is complicit. Every Trump supporter is the same as a brown shirt Nazi.. Every member of our govt who assists in his illegal use of power should be charged criminally.

and everyone who calls themselves a patriot and defends his actions you are a bootlicker and all those who don't say anything are enablers..

Hitler didn't rise to power on his own, he had enablers at every level of govt &amp; society. They were all just as guilty as Hitler was.

crockett05

They are preparing for 2026 elections. Choosing red states first to gain support for this authoritarian regime .

daschyforever

If you take a harder look at the map, it appears that he's trying to limit interstate travel. All the states he chose have major access to east and west interstates.

Newbbbq

https://preview.redd.it/gu9lhanf1wkf1.jpeg?width=1170&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp&amp;s=2435d1a5f8a720b3e99338a01ff53273f35a84c1

leighla33

For when the riots start after he cancels mail in voting and elections altogether

ParaHeadFun_SF

It's a classic strategy to start where you'll face the least resistance to normalize the action. Once that's established, the escalation to more resistant areas seems like a logical next step to them, not a drastic leap. This isn't a red vs. blue issue; it's about testing the limits of power against everyone. The real danger is how easily we're being divided while the groundwork is being laid.

Upstairs_Two_180

Why are any of you surprised? You saw what he did and is doing to California. That made sense to you because so many people, including the President, hate California. But now we're all shocked he's doing it to red states? Why did you think it would end in California? He's deploying them in the places least likely to resist, and in California, because his base loves it when he attacks California. The dude's a fascist. I had hope that when he started pulling this shit in the red states they'd resist. But I fear they may just roll over for it. Guess we'll see.

VonBrewskie

“Why is he deploying the guard to red states?? I expected him to take the sanctuary cities in blue states first. Holy fuck.”

I’m not sure if anyone has actually answered your question, but the reason is because the governors of those states are willing to participate. Federalizing the national guard requires the consent of the governor which governors in blue states are not about to give.

nottheguy910

Red state or not, a lot of cities are quite left-leaning.

sravll

He's activating them in red states to send them to blue states.

StupendousMalice

Blue cities in red states will feel this first. Hard to resist when your neighbors support the regime &amp; your safety is compromised by speaking out. It’s hard to find enough allies when “the majority” of your state is in favor of the regime.

QuirkyBreath1755

Deploying in red states minimizes pushback from state government AND local populace. This is partially intended to normalize for wider distribution later.

MyGoldfishGotLoose

Trump's threat to deploy National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities for crime control has sparked backlash among political leaders and citizens.

Trump's National Guard Deployments

Why This Matters

Public Sentiment Summary

Highlighted Comments

Parties Involved

What the people want