The National Guard is a reserve force of the U.S. military that is typically deployed by states in response to natural disasters, although it has been used in the past by presidents to help quell domestic unrest - including President George H.W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots in 1992.

At least six states have authorized National Guard troops to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in administrative and logistical roles.

The DC National Guard began appearing in the nation’s capital on Tuesday after President Donald Trump announced a day earlier he is deploying guard troops and placing Washington, DC’s police department “under direct federal control,