The Republican governors of three states are deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., at the request of the administration of President Donald Trump, who has portrayed the city as awash in crime.

The Republican governors of West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio announced Saturday they will send National Guard troops to Washington, DC, in an escalation of President Donald Trump’s efforts to federally take over law enforcement in the city.

On Sunday night, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine both announced their respective deployment of troops to the capital.

A White House spokesperson told CBS News that while deployed National Guard members "may be armed," they will not make arrests.

It was the first such action by the Guard since its deployment in Washington.

President Donald Trump slammed Maryland Gov. Wes Moore from the Oval Office on Thursday. The governor responded in a social media video, as a clash continues about the use of the National Guard.

The showdown in Washington is the latest attempt by Trump to test the boundaries of his legal authority to carry out his tough-on-crime agenda, relying on obscure statutes and a supposed state of emergency to speed up the mass deportation of people in the United States illegally.

CAMP MURRAY, Wash. - Whether on land, in the air or on water, Guard members train to adapt to any mission. The Washington Army National Guard Soldiers