Governor: 'Presently no plans' to send National Guard to St. Louis
ST. LOUIS - Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe's Office says there are "presently no plans" to send the National Guard to St. Louis to address crime.
U.S. President Donald Trump first suggested the National Guard could be deployed to St. Louis last week on FOX News' FOX & Friends program, then spoke Monday at the Oval Office with the remarks, "We got to save St. Louis."
In recent weeks, Trump has called for National Guard deployments in Democratic-led cities, like Chicago and Memphis, which he says is part of a push to combat crime and illegal immigration.
A spokesperson for Gov. Kehoe's Office tells FOX 2 there are currently "no plans" to deploy the National Guard in St. Louis, but the governor "continues to keep options open to keep Missourians safe."
The governor's office shared the following statement with FOX 2 on Tuesday:
"Improving public safety and cracking down on crime has remained Governor Kehoe's number one priority since taking office. Unlike many Democrat-run states, the Kehoe administration has been proactive in its efforts to crack down on crime.
On his first day as governor, Governor Kehoe implemented Operation Relentless Pursuit, via executive order, which coordinates Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers, county sheriffs’ deputies, local law enforcement agencies, and US Marshals to arrest dangerous criminals with outstanding warrants.
A key focus of his public safety efforts has also been on retention and recruitment efforts to get more officers on the streets. Missouri's major cities — St. Louis, Kansas City, Columbia, Springfield — all have police departments that are down on officers.
In St. Louis specifically, Governor Kehoe championed state oversight of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to ensure the officers have the tools they need to keep Missourians safe. The FBI has also recently announced additional resources to assist St. Louis law enforcement.
There are presently no plans to utilize the National Guard in Missouri to address crime, however, Governor Kehoe continues to keep options open to keep Missourians safe. Governor Kehoe appreciates President Trump’s efforts to clean up cities like Washington, D.C. and Memphis and share his goal of creating safer, more prosperous communities." Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe's office
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer's Office added in a statement to FOX 2 last Friday that she hasn't been contacted about the possibility of deploying the National Guard, and that the governor told her the same.
