As “WSJ” writes, citing internal Pentagon documents, the teams are to be formed in each of the 50 states and American territories. Up to 500 soldiers will be assigned to each of themwho will receive training in crowd control techniques, including the use of batons, tasers and making arrests. Their role is to be ready to act quickly in response to riots and riots.
“Riot control units represent a significant change for the Pentagon, underscoring the Trump administration's push for direct involvement of the military in responding to protests and other national missions that have so far been considered unacceptable, except in emergency situations,” the newspaper comments.
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What tasks will the new National Guard forces have?
How many soldiers will be in each rapid reaction unit?
When will the forces be ready?
Which states will have such units?
The order to create rapid riot response teams was to be issued by President Donald Trump in August and according to “WSJ” is being implemented at an accelerated paceso that the forces would be ready from January.
The Journal notes that National Guard forces have rapid reaction forces in most states, but they have previously been used to respond to natural disasters. Soldiers of the reserve formation, who perform civilian jobs on a daily basis, have been repeatedly sent by President Donald Trump on missions related to fighting crime or protecting and supporting immigration services detaining illegal immigrants.
In some cases, the legality of Trump's orders has been questioned by the courts, such as sending troops to Portland and Chicago, but the cases have not yet been fully resolved.
American law allows the military to be deployed to perform police and law enforcement functions only if the law on armed uprisings is used (Insurrection Act). Trump has repeatedly suggested he might do so. The president also suggested that he might have to send regular troops to the cities.
