North Carolina Lawmakers Urge Governor to Deploy National Guard Amid Rising Crime Surge
By Newsmax Wires | Thursday, 06 November 2025 01:05 PM EST
North Carolina Rep. Mark Harris has called on Gov. Josh Stein to deploy the National Guard to Charlotte to support local police amid a surge in violent crime, citing the city’s overwhelmed law enforcement. Harris stated that the Fraternal Order of Police had requested assistance due to an understaffing crisis, with 270+ officers missing. “This is a situation we believe requires immediate action,” he said on Newsmax’s “National Report.”
Charlotte has seen eight homicides in seven days, with uptown murder rates exceeding 200% compared to the previous year. Harris emphasized that National Guard deployment would not replace local officers but provide temporary support while long-term solutions are developed. He argued that such measures could deter crime and restore public confidence, referencing similar efforts in Washington, D.C., and Memphis.
Stein’s office opposed the proposal, asserting that local police “who live and know their communities” are best suited to address safety concerns. The governor, a Democrat, has instead advocated for state-funded pay raises, recruitment bonuses, and mental health programs for law enforcement. Harris criticized these measures as insufficient, stating, “We’ve not seen that [action], but we have a crime issue here.”
Harris also condemned Senate Democrats’ handling of the federal government shutdown, calling their refusal to pass a continuing resolution “unforgivable” and urging immediate action to reopen agencies.
