1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov February 23, 2021National Guard Civil Support in the District of ColumbiaThe use of the National Guard in various contexts within the District of Columbia (DC) has raised congressional questions regarding the authorities and mechanisms for requesting, activating, and
2、using the National Guard to support civil authorities. This In Focus describes the National Guard, relevant mechanisms for its activation, certain legal considerations, and aspects of its use to provide law enforcement support in Washington, DC. The National Guard The National Guard is descended fro
3、m colonial-era militias that existed prior to the adoption of the Constitution. The Constitution recognizes the existence of, and gives the federal government limited authority over, the militia (Article I, 8, cls. 15, 16; Article 2, 2). The U.S. Code defines the militia as “all able-bodied males at
4、 least 17 years of age and . under 45 years of age who are, or who have made a declaration of intention to become, citizens of the United States and of female citizens of the United States who are members of the National Guard” (10 U.S.C. 246). This definition also establishes two subcategories: the
