A Berkeley County veteran and civil liberties advocates are challenging South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster’s deployment of over 300 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., for a second 90-day stint starting in December. The lawsuit, filed directly with the state Supreme Court by James Weninger and groups like the ACLU of South Carolina, claims the mission—described by critics as involving landscaping and trash pickup rather than true emergencies—violates state law limiting out-of-state Guard use to disasters or insurrections.
Key Lawsuit Arguments
Plaintiffs assert McMaster lacks authority for non-emergency support to D.C. law enforcement, potentially leaving South Carolina vulnerable during local crises like the ongoing winter weather threats. Weninger, a Navy vet, called it a “political stunt” separating troops from families over holiday periods.
Governor’s Defense
McMaster’s office labels the suit politically driven, affirming the governor’s power to deploy the Guard to “protect lives, defend the homeland, and enforce rule of law.” Guard spokespeople emphasize troops’ readiness for such missions, tied to broader federal efforts under President Trump to bolster D.C. safety amid 2025-2026 deployments.
Broader Context
This fits a pattern of Republican-led states sending Guard units to D.C. for the “Safe and Beautiful” initiative, despite low crime stats cited by opponents. The case could reshape future deployment rules, especially with cold snaps and storms straining state resources in the Lowcountry and Midlands—areas you’re tracking closely. Any local emergency prep concerns amid this?
