News
Republican States Send National Guard Troops to Washington Amid Trump Crackdown
Three Republican-led states announced on Saturday they will deploy hundreds of National Guard members to the nation’s capital, escalating President Donald Trump’s federal crackdown on crime and homelessness in the city despite local leaders’ objections.
West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio confirmed plans to send additional troops to Washington, responding to requests from the Trump administration and the Pentagon. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey said between 300 and 400 troops would be deployed, declaring his state was “proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital.” South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster pledged 200 troops but noted they would be recalled if the state faced a natural disaster such as a hurricane. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine committed 150 troops, saying they would conduct “presence patrols and serve as added security” at the request of Army Secretary Dan Driscoll.
The move adds to roughly 800 National Guard members already activated in Washington and builds on Trump’s executive order signed earlier this week, which federalized the city’s police force and justified the deployment as an emergency response to rising crime and homelessness.
Local officials, however, strongly dispute that characterization. Washington leaders argue that violent crime levels remain below those recorded during Trump’s first term and accuse the administration of overreaching into local governance. Critics say the federalization of policing in the District represents an unprecedented power grab that undermines local autonomy.
Protests Against Federal Intervention
The troop announcement triggered fresh demonstrations in the capital. Thousands of protesters gathered on Saturday, marching toward the White House in defiance of Trump’s order. Many carried banners reading “No fascist takeover of DC” and chanted slogans such as “No to military occupation.”
Morgan Taylor, one of the protest organizers, said the rally was aimed at sparking widespread opposition to what she described as an attack on civil liberties. “It’s hot, but I’m glad to be here. It’s good to see all these people out here,” she said. “I can’t believe this is happening in this country at this time.”
Trump defended his order, declaring that Washington’s city government had “failed to maintain public order,” which he argued jeopardized the federal government’s ability to function effectively. “Our workers must be protected from rampant violence,” Trump said, framing the intervention as necessary to safeguard the broader interests of the nation.
With the arrival of out-of-state Guard troops in the coming days, the confrontation between federal authorities, local leaders, and demonstrators is expected to intensify. While Republican governors portray their deployments as a show of solidarity with the president, critics warn that Washington risks becoming a flashpoint in the political battle over federal authority, policing, and civil rights.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
News
White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify
News
Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
-
Entertainment1 year agoMeta Acquires Tilda Swinton VR Doc ‘Impulse: Playing With Reality’
-
Business2 years agoSaudi Arabia’s Model for Sustainable Aviation Practices
-
Business2 years agoRecent Developments in Small Business Taxes
-
Home Improvement1 year agoEffective Drain Cleaning: A Key to a Healthy Plumbing System
-
Politics2 years agoWho was Ebrahim Raisi and his status in Iranian Politics?
-
Business1 year agoCarrectly: Revolutionizing Car Care in Chicago
-
Sports1 year agoKeely Hodgkinson Wins Britain’s First Athletics Gold at Paris Olympics in 800m
-
Business1 year agoSaudi Arabia: Foreign Direct Investment Rises by 5.6% in Q1
