Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp visited Georgia National Guard troops stationed in Washington, D.C., ahead of the Christmas holiday. The visit took place at the DC Armory, where they were joined by Insurance Commissioner John King (Major General, ret.), Labor Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes, and Major General Dwayne Wilson, Adjutant General of the Georgia Guard. The group spent several hours with the Guardsmen to thank them for their service during the holiday season.
“Marty and I are always inspired by the brave men and women of the Georgia Guard who put service above self, and we want to thank these patriotic troops for all they’re doing to secure our nation’s capital,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “As families gather to celebrate Christmas and the New Year, our thoughts and prayers will be with these servicemembers – and those throughout the world – who won’t be with their loved ones for the holidays because they’re keeping our nation and allies safe.”
In September, Governor Kemp announced that Georgia Guard troops would be mobilized in response to a presidential executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., on August 11, 2025. The Georgia National Guard has previously worked with federal, state, and local agencies in emergency situations both within Georgia and elsewhere in the United States or allied countries.
The Georgia National Guard consists of over 14,000 Soldiers and Airmen who support missions overseas as well as domestically. Its participation in Joint Task Force-District of Columbia does not affect its capacity to respond to emergencies within Georgia. For example, during Hurricane Helene last year, the Guard supported nearly forty counties while also taking part in operations on six continents.
The Government of Georgia oversees public services and regulatory functions for residents across all counties through its executive branch based in Atlanta (official website). The state government delivers services such as licensing, vehicle registration, tax filing, social welfare programs, and more under its constitutional authority (official website). These responsibilities are managed through executive, legislative, and judicial branches designed to serve state residents (official website).
