UPDATE: State Democrats Ask For Clarification Of Guard Role In Washington

Updated on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at 11:35 a.m.

In an email to West Virginia Public Broadcasting Tuesday evening, a representative from Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s office offered the following response:

“As the Guard said in August, their mission is to support ‘in areas of sustainment, logistics, administration, public affairs and Joint Staff augmentation. Security missions include static and roving presence patrols.'” the official wrote, quoting an Aug. 28 release from the West Virginia National Guard.

“WVNG service members are not conducting beautification projects, such as litter collection and site restoration.”

The email went on to clarify that Morrisey authorized the guard to serve in Washington on a volunteer basis after Nov. 17.

“So yes, they are ‘by their nature, volunteers,’ but they also voluntarily chose to serve in D.C. as part of President Trump’s initiative.,” he wrote.

Original Story

The West Virginia Democratic Party has called on Gov. Patrick Morrisey to clarify the purpose of the ongoing deployment of West Virginia National Guard personnel to Washington, D.C. 

In a letter published Monday, Democrats questioned why Guard units have been assigned to landscaping, beautification, and trash-removal duties in the nation’s capital. The letter argues that reports of such duties stand in sharp contrast to the Trump Administration’s explanation of the deployment as necessary to address crime in Washington. 

“We are calling on Governor Morrisey to explain how these duties align with the crime fighting mission he and the Trump administration outlined to the public as the original rationale for deploying these troops to Washington, D.C.,” Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said.

Pushkin, chair of the state Democratic party, said after the shooting of two West Virginia Guard members last week, West Virginians deserve answers. An estimated 170 West Virginia Guard members remain in Washington.

“We owe it to our men and women who serve in our West Virginia National Guard, they deserve to have a very clear mission as well,” he said. “Especially in the aftermath of this horrible terrorist attack that left one young woman from West Virginia dead and another young man fighting for his life in a hospital bed right now.”

Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe remains in serious condition after he and Specialist Sarah Beckstrom were shot in Washington, D.C. last Wednesday. Beckstrom later died from her injuries.

In an email Tuesday, the West Virginia National Guard said “distinguished transfer and funeral arrangements are currently being coordinated” with Beckstrom’s family and details will be released in accordance with the families’ wishes. 

Jeanine Pirro, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, announced Tuesday that Rahmanullah Lakanwal was charged with first-degree murder while armed for the death of Beckstrom, as well as assault with intent to kill while armed, and two counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Pushkin called Morrisey’s emphasis on the voluntary nature of Guard’s service in Washington during a press conference Monday “insulting,” pointing out that all National Guard members are, by their nature, volunteers.

“Of course they chose to be there. When they are asked to do something, these are the people in our society who step up first,” Pushkin said. “That’s the type of person that signs up for the National Guard. They would not be there had it not been for the President, you know, calling in the National Guard in this strange form of political theater, and it, you know, unfortunately put them in harm’s way.”

The West Virginia National Guard has extended its deployment in Washington, D.C. through at least Dec. 31.