In the face of surging crime and protests across U.S. cities in 2025, the National Guard Quick Reaction Force (NGQRF) has proven essential for swift intervention, directly responding to worries voiced by Alaska State Rep. Andrew Gray (D-Anchorage) about its implementation in states like his own.
In a November 14 X post, Rep. Gray highlighted concerns over an October 31 memo mandating Alaska to ready a 350-member NGQRF equipped with non-lethal tools such as batons, tasers, and pepper spray for riot control. He questioned its necessity in riot-free Alaska, transparency in training and supplies, deployment triggers, and risks of misuse on U.S. streets. The memo clarifies the NGQRF focuses on civil disturbance operations with graduated response protocols, monthly readiness reports, and deployment only upon federal or gubernatorial requests, ensuring accountability and preventing overreach. While Alaska lacks precedents, the force enables interstate support for national crises, fostering preparedness without local mandates.
Real-world examples from 2025 illustrate its critical role. In Washington, D.C., a declared crime emergency led to a specialized NG unit for public safety, hiring extra personnel and establishing a nationwide quick reaction capability to curb violence.
Portland’s prolonged ICE facility protests turned chaotic, with federalized troops from California and Oregon quelling unrest despite gubernatorial objections and brief judicial blocks, preventing further escalation.
In Memphis, National Guard assisted in thousands of arrests and anti-crime operations since October, though a judge halted deployment, underscoring how delays can prolong dangers to communities.
Chicago’s immigration-related demonstrations garnered the authorization of 300 troops to assist when called upon to maintain order at ICE sites.
In each of these cities, the protests included groups like Antifa, Democratic Socialist of America, or the Party for Socialism and Liberation. These groups have active chapters in Alaska. Although these chapters are not quite as big as in the other cities, they have the same potential to organize and create a situation where a quick reaction force would be necessary for public safety.
President Donald Trump defended the initiative stating they are needed to suppress civil unrest, support immigration enforcement and fight crime. Without such reaction forces, unrest intensifies, endangering lives and property, making the NGQRF vital even for low-risk states.
What can you say about Andrew grey.?? Left wing nut job from Anchorage a city no one wants to live in anymore. Like every other blue city. Crime infested, dirty dive.
Not a good look that these military special groups are necessary. It speaks volumes to the current criminal elements being ignored by the liberals (84 Democrats that voted in favor of communism recently) that project the scenes we are viewing in the various Blue cities. If these disturbances are not addressed with firm reaction then the slippery slope of communism will consume America.
Tragic.
A.M.Johnson-Ketchikan
Kudos to the Alaska National Guard!! Keep the safety gear on and “thank you for your service.!” Go for it!!
Let’s Go! We need this to protect citizens from domestic unrest caused by non-citizens and their allies within our country.
Antifa is a movement, not an organization. Can the author explain what is wrong about opposing Nazi’s and White Nationalists?
“……..Antifa is a movement, not an organization………”
We need to “move” them to a labor camp. They have energy, and we just need to re-direct it to productive results.
The Nazi’s must be pretty darn old if any have survived WW2.
Sadly most of those who associate with antifa have no understanding of what the original anti-fascits stood for or fought against. If they think Fascism is on the right side of the political spectrum that should clue you into the fact that they don’t know what they are talking about as every tenent of Fascism fits squarely in the left side of the political spectrum.
Antifa is definitely an organization well funded and bent on causing turmoil. Do real research Frank. They have been exposed for what they really are, a terrorist organization.
Frank. I haven’t seen a violent Nazi, KKK, Arian Brother Hood, headline in years. Just name yapping from the left, False Accusers. Is what they are.
White nationalism is a movement, not an organization
Funny that is is a movement well funded by the far left. We shall see Frank.
The democrat party is the party of the insane. They have proven to be against the constitution, republic and the majority of the people. They are the problem and the greatest threat to our state and republic.
Using the military on US Soil for law enforcement is unconstitutional, the courts are declaring Trump and his cabinet in the wrong. He is attempting to create a state of fear amongst the conservative followers. Cities are bad and dangerous and only he can save them. Where was he on January 6th during the attack on the US Capital by his people? He pardoned them all and now many are being rearrested for hideous crimes. Why did he intervene in the TATE Brothers cases? Does he support human trafficking of women? Was Miss Teen USA a pipeline for Jeffery Epstein?
“……..Using the military on US Soil for law enforcement is unconstitutiona………”
President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War, initially in specific areas like Maryland in 1861, and later nationwide in 1863. This action allowed for the arrest and detention of individuals without formal charges, and was controversial, with Chief Justice Roger Taney challenging Lincoln’s authority in the Ex Parte Merryman case. Congress later passed the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act in March 1863, officially authorizing the president to suspend the writ when public safety required it.
Good Gosh AFF, If you are going to throw out supposed incidents without facts to back them up. I’ll ask on the most blatant. “Was Miss Teen USA a pipeline for Jeffery Epstein. I’d like to see the validated statement to back that up, and then judge the others preceding on the merritt of this response. I’ll wait
In the mean while I’ll go with this:
“A victim of Jeffrey Epstein testified during Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 trial that she was once a contestant in President Donald Trump’s teen beauty pageant.
The woman, identified by the pseudonym “Jane,” testified that she met Trump at his Mar-a-Lago Club when Epstein took her there in the 1990s when she was 14. She did not describe any inappropriate behavior by Trump during her testimony.”
al. Didn’t you just support Alaskans For Freedom’s claim?
The National Guard was deployed numerous times in the 50’s and 60’s to assist in the law enforcement, they were deployed in the 90’s to assist in law enforcement, they were deployed to assist in law enforcement during the George Floyd riots, they were even deployed on Jan 6.
By the way, on Jan 3 President Trump told the Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff “There’s going to be a large amount of protesters here on the 6th, make sure you have sufficient National Guard or soldiers to make sure it’s a safe event.” Senior Pentagon officials delayed the deployment due to “optics”.
I think housing the military in times of peace not using the military to protect the police.
The repercussions of 4 years of invited illegal migrants infiltrated with drugs and terrorist gang members are costing a lot more than anyone ever imagined let alone the suffering family members from the loss of innocent victims on the streets.
President Autopen has a lot more blood on his hands than anyone will ever imagine and the carnage will carry on for decades without swift action.
“Handy Andy” is not even close to being educated enough to foresee the dangers ahead.
His tearful plea he put on in front of the Anchorage ASSembly was painful to watch.
The author here claims “surging crime and protests across U.S. cities” as a justification of militarizing cities. The Center for Criminal Justice disagrees. Reported levels of 11 of the 13 offenses covered in this report were lower in the first half of 2025 than in the first half of 2024; domestic violence was the only offense that rose during this period, and drug offenses remained even.
Looking at changes in violent offenses from the first six months of 2024 and 2025, the rate of homicides in the 30 study cities providing data for that crime was 17% lower, representing 327 fewer homicides. There were 10% fewer reported aggravated assaults, 21% fewer gun assaults, 10% fewer sexual assaults, and 3% more domestic violence incidents. Robbery fell by 20%, while carjackings (a type of robbery) decreased by 24%. Trump should be tooting this reduction of crime as one of his successes. But no. The weak man is blinded by ego and arrogance. He’d lie when the truth would serve him better.
Hey buddy, why are you bringing facts in here?! People on the right have convinced themselves (with the help of such enlightened media as MRAK) that all the brown people are gonna get them! It’s mighty unkind of you to try bursting their fear bubble.
Correction: the brown people are going to TRY TO get them. #FAFO
The Center for Criminal Justice is a radical leftist organization that targets conservatives and Caucasians and promotes maoist propaganda. Get a less biased source … I suggest one that does not subsist on the criminal element of the world.
Their mission statement: “ The Center promotes fair, informed, effective, and ethical criminal justice approaches through collaborative interdisciplinary research, professional development and targeted projects.”
Please provide sources for your statistics. BTW…. peaceful protestors destroyed downtown Portland businesses losing the City an hell of a lot of money. Others took over a block and a Police Station in downtown Seattle. People who lived there were terrified to leave their apartments. That kind of lawlessness hasn’t been seen since the 60s and should not be tolerated ever. I’m grateful Trump and the NG are making life more peaceful & safe for people who just live and work and take care of their families
mlr: “ That kind of lawlessness hasn’t been seen since the 60s and should not be tolerated ever.”
January 6.
“ That kind of lawlessness hasn’t been seen since the 60s and should not be tolerated ever.” January 6
All illegals have broken the law so cry for someone who actually isn’t a criminal.