US National Guard Prepares Rapid Response Troops To Handle Civil Disorders

The US National Guard was deployed to Los Angeles. (Twitter/@USNorthernCmd)

JAKARTA - The United States National Guard plans to train hundreds of troops in each state to become part of a fast response force focused on civilian disruption missions early next year, two US officials said on Wednesday.

President Donald Trump is increasingly supporting the use of the military to support his domestic agenda, including deploying troops to Democratic-led cities such as Los Angeles; Portland, Oregon to Washington, DC.

The latest move follows an executive order signed by President Trump in August calling on every state to have National Guard troops that could be deployed quickly to "end off civilian disturbances and ensure security and public order."

Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said each state would be required to have these troops as early as next year.

Most states will be required to have 500 troops as part of the force.

The specific date of the transfer was first reported by The Guardian, citing the National Guard memo dated October 8.

A Pentagon spokesman did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Wednesday.

It's unclear how this troop will differ from the fast reaction force already available to each state.

According to the National Guard, each state already has special trained troops that can participate in various missions, including control of civil disturbances.

Currently, the National Guard must be able to deploy up to 125 troops within eight hours and follow-up troops up to 375 personnel within 24 hours.

During his visit to Japan earlier this week, President Trump told US troops he was ready to send "more than the National Guard" to US cities if needed.

"We have troubled cities and we will send our National Guard. And if we need more than the National Guard, we will send more than the National Guard because we will have safe cities," said President Trump.