National Guard Troops Prepare for Riots: A New Military Directive

Fri Oct 31 2025 14:37:31 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant move, all 50 states are training National Guard units to swiftly respond to civil disturbances with specialized forces ready for action, echoing President Trump's tough approach to crime and immigration.

The Trump administration has ordered the National Guard in every state to establish specialized quick reaction forces capable of deploying rapidly to civil disturbances and riots. More than 23,000 troops will be trained in non-lethal crowd control methods, with aims to operationalize these forces by January 2026. The memo outlines equipment and training protocols, expanding the military's role in civil law enforcement amid ongoing legal challenges regarding troop deployments in urban areas.

In a bold directive, military leaders have mandated that the National Guard in all 50 states form special forces trained for quick deployments to manage civil unrest. These 'quick reaction forces' can be ready to respond in hours, emphasizing President Trump's vision for a stronger military presence on U.S. streets.

Under a recent memo, troops are set to receive specialized training in crowd management and the usage of non-lethal equipment like batons and pepper spray. At least 23,000 National Guard members across states will be involved, and these units must be operational by January 1, 2026.

This initiative follows an executive order issued by Trump, aiming to enhance military capabilities for rapid response to civil disturbances and illegal immigration. As Trump’s policies come under scrutiny, the administration has already faced legal challenges regarding the deployment of troops, notably in Chicago and Portland.

Despite controversies, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth cited various layers of National Guard response capabilities, hinting at a robust infrastructure poised to mobilize as needed, aiming for a swift and effective governmental response to unrest.