‘Dangerous and irresponsible:’ South Carolina Democrats condemn SC National Guard deployment to DC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina Democrats are responding after Gov. Henry McMaster ordered SC National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. on Saturday.

McMaster announced the deployment of 200 state National Guardsmen Saturday evening on X, which he said was to support President Donald Trump’s recent efforts to curb what the latter described as a crime emergency in the nation’s capital.

The governor also said he would immediately recall the guardsmen back to South Carolina in the event of a hurricane or other natural disaster.

“Sending our National Guard troops away when South Carolina faces the constant threat of hurricanes is a dangerous and irresponsible choice,” said Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto. “Our Guard members should be on standby to protect our people and communities, not sent to fulfill a political mission in Washington. The Governor owes it to the citizens of this state to put their safety first.”

South Carolina Senate Democrats Condemn Governor McMaster’s Reckless Deployment of National Guard During Hurricane Season pic.twitter.com/mQcc6kofXv

— South Carolina Senate Democrats (@SCSenateDems) August 17, 2025

SC state senator Tameika Isaac Devine responded to the deployment, stating:

“The decision to strip South Carolina of 200 National Guardsmen during the height of hurricane season is reckless and shortsighted. These men and women are not bargaining chips for partisan politics, they are the very people we depend on when disaster strikes. Every South Carolinian knows how quickly a storm can turn our lives upside down, yet the Governor is sending away those who would be first on the ground to protect us.”

Senator Tameika Isaac Devine Condemns Governor McMaster’s Reckless Deployment of National Guard @TIDEVINE pic.twitter.com/EhNtOFov25

— South Carolina Senate Democrats (@SCSenateDems) August 17, 2025

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