Aug 16 (Reuters) - 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.

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

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.

National Guard troops have begun 24-hour operations around Washington, D.C., as of Thursday morning, according to a Department of Defense official. It's part of President Donald Trump's plan to address crime in Washington by taking over the city's police department and deploying the National Guard troops.

With National Guard troops from West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio all ordered to Washington, D.C. on Saturday, the number of troops on the ground in the District will nearly double in the coming days.

President Donald Trump deployed 800 National Guard troops to the nation's capital as part of a crime crackdown in the city.

At least 700 National Guard troops will be sent to Washington, D.C., nearly doubling the number of Guardsmen active in the capital.

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

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