Bush called the Guard into federal service during the Los Angeles riots . National Guard troops can be activated by Congress or the president . Every state and Washington , D.C. , have their own National Guard . Guard troops have helped suppress unrest in Los Angeles and New Orleans . They have also been mired in controversy , such as with the Kent State shootings .
National Guard troops can be activated by Congress or the president . Every state and Washington , D.C. , have their own National Guard . Guard troops have helped suppress unrest in Los Angeles and New Orleans . They have also been mired in controversy , such as with the Kent State shootings .