Sunday, September 14, 2025

Bill Crawford: National Guard Troops Not Trained in Law Enforcement

In August, Gov. Tate Reeves deployed 200 troops from the Mississippi National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 204th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, to Washington, D.C. They were sent, Reeves said, in support of President Donald Trump’s push to “return law and order to our nation’s capital.”

“Crime is out of control there, and it’s clear something must be done to combat it,” Reeves added.

According to former senior members of the Mississippi National Guard, these troops have had no relevant training to prepare for such a mission. Rather, their training has focused on combat missions in support of active duty units. At most, they received a half day of riot control training and may have participated in security support following major disasters.

The use of National Guard troops by presidents in support of law enforcement has been rare and occurred primarily in response to civil unrest or disorder. The 1878 Posse Comitatus Act prohibits the military from enforcing domestic law. When the president “nationalizes” National Guard troops, they fall under the act.

“Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have stated they intend to deploy National Guard troops to other cities across the country, raising concerns they’re ‘creating a national police force with the president as its chief,’” the Associated Press reported last week. A California judge has already ruled that Trump violated Posse Comitatus by sending National Guard troops into Los Angeles.

Sen. Roger Wicker seems to think such usage of the National Guard is a good thing. “If I were one of those mayors, I’d be glad to have the help,” the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee told the AP.

Help to do what?


Stationing troops throughout cities can hinder crime, but only so long as the troops remain. Is the president’s plan to permanently deploy troops in cities with high crime? That would be an entirely new mission for the National Guard. And armed soldiers cruising neighborhoods in military transport would surely look like a national police force.

Troops untrained in law enforcement, deployed on temporary duty, may look and sound good to the president and politicians, but are not a practical solution to inner city crime.

If the president wants to permanently hinder crime, he should look at what Gov. Reeves and the legislature have done in our capital city. The Capitol Police, funded and operated by the state, are having notable, lasting impacts on crime in Jackson. These are not temporary troops, but well-paid, well-trained law enforcement officers.

Perhaps the governor should be sending that message to Washington, not troops.

“The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps” – Proverbs 14:15.

Crawford is the author of A Republican’s Lament: Mississippi Needs Good Government Conservatives.


12 comments:

Anonymous said...

From what I’ve seen lately, current law enforcement isn’t trained in law enforcement.

Anonymous said...

National Guard doesn’t need to have law enforcement training. They just need to be present with live ammo and ready to engage and return fire with automatic weapons when the violent thugs open fire.

Anonymous said...

The key is to examine those that are at least trying to do something versus those that want the ever decaying status quo to continue at the expense of the citizens. At this point, cities like Memphis and Jackson are in a full out “code blue” with nearly all systems in failure. The cities/patients must be stabilized first and foremost if, and that’s a big if, they can be rehabilitated.
As it stands now, the cities have hemorrhaged just about everyone that could afford and still had the personal agency to get out evacuating. The unfortunate remaining are basically in a queue waiting to be victims of out of control criminals. All the while, the business infrastructure is collapsing and disappearing around them. Good people and families are not only worried about walking down to the corner store, they are worried about stray bullets tearing through their house or all out violence in a restaurant due trivial things like the wrong sauce with their wings. Every attempt to do something, anything,
Is thwarted by the funding grifters and race baiters. Most people do not like the idea or optics of bringing in national guard members to stabilize the cities, no more than families like see their loved ones having their hearts shocked or chest cracked open. Traumatic situations aren’t pretty by definition. Sometimes it is the only way to save someone, some city, that you know is worth saving. Is there another plan? Can it be put into effect immediately? When can citizens realize positive results of a plan? Look at how they attacked the capitol police plan. Families need actions and results now - Jackson barely has a pulse and Memphis is just slightly better off, as at least it has an economic base. I’m all ears if someone has a plan, particularly a plan that immediately offers results.

Anonymous said...

New headline...."Democrat Elected Officials Not Trained in Common Sense"

anonymous said...

if mr crawford is worried about untrained people posing as law enforcement he doesn't have to go any further than right out to the reservoir patrol.
dont take my word for it.
ask anyone with rankin county sheriffs dept.

Anonymous said...

Why not send military police units rather than an infantry unit. Don’t military police officers have some training in being the police?

Anonymous said...

It's symbolic. Political theater. It makes the statement that these cities are out of control. It's not a solution and should not be understood that way. It serves it's purpose.

Anonymous said...

Bill Crawford isn't trained in government either, yet here he is.

Anonymous said...

The ghettos in this country more resemble the war zones of Fallujah, Kabul, and Damascus, than American cities. The US Military has plenty of experience with war zones.

Put up checkpoints everywhere. Have 8-12 heavily armed and armored National Guard supporting 2 police officers. It allows the police to be stretched a lot more thin while having enough backup that “flash mobs” can’t overwhelm them.

Same for border security. The National guard presence allows fewer border patrol to do more and have armed backup.

This truly is simple stuff to comprehend. Bill is just a RINO and simply repeats the Democrat's talking points each week.

Anonymous said...

Bring bulldozers. Dont stop until the entire dilapidated city infrastructure is demolished.

Anonymous said...

Our cities cannot be saved by local governments that are put in place by the voters that resist law and order. The only option left is to take law enforcement away from localities and have it taken over by the federal government. Even this may not work, but it is the only remaining option for our cities.

anonymous said...

Methinks the writer forgets that calling out the national guard occurs to preserve and restore peace. Does he think JFK was wrong to call out the guard to Ole Miss in 1962 or the LA riots? If C.C. and Memphis do not need the guard, in the author's opinion, when pray tell would the guard be required?
RMQ


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.