The National Guard is a reserve force of the U.S. military that is typically deployed by states in response to natural disasters, although it has been used in the past by presidents to help quell domestic unrest - including President George H.W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots in 1992.

At least six states have authorized National Guard troops to assist U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in administrative and logistical roles.

While it is mostly called to respond to state-level emergencies, the National Guard has also been called to enforce the law. The DC National Guard is primarily under federal control.