WASHINGTON — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to ensure that the 160 members of the Michigan Army National Guard that she deployed to Washington, D.C., this month are helping to support the celebrations around the country's 250th birthday and not President Donald Trump's effort to fight crime and beautify the capital city.

In a letter Monday to the head of the Michigan National Guard, Whitmer noted she has not "and will not" deploy troops to assist with Trump's so-called Safe and Beautiful Mission that has drawn criticism from local residents and leaders.

Whitmer is seeking assurances from Maj. Gen. Paul D. Rogers, who commands the Michigan National Guard, that the 170 uniformed members that she approved to help with the America 250 celebrations through Aug. 31 are only supporting the "narrow and limited" America 250 Mission and not the controversial D.C. law enforcement mission that dates to last August.

"If the National Guard is unable or unwilling to ensure the Michigan National Guard is only supporting the America 250 Mission, appropriately defined ― and is unable or unwilling to communicate consistent with that fact ― then I will end Michigan’s support for the America 250 mission," Whitmer wrote.

Whitmer's letter also complained that a webpage run by the National Guard's D.C. Joint Task Force describing the Safe and Beautiful Mission "incorrectly" listed Michigan as supporting this mission.

The Democratic governor's letter followed an activist's report over the weekend showing members of the Michigan National Guard on duty in the Georgetown neighborhood instead of the National Mall where most America 250 events are taking place.

A spokesperson for the D.C. Joint Task Force said Monday morning that 161 members of the Michigan National Guard are currently supporting the task force, which "remains committed to safeguarding the District of Columbia and serving those who live, work, and visit the District."

National Public Radio last week noted that the deployments of troops to Washington by Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina and Kentucky's governors recently marked the first time that Democratic-led states have sent uniformed service members from their guards to D.C. since Trump set up the task force to fight crime in the city last August.

In all, more than 4,800 uniformed members of the National Guard are patrolling the National Mall, residential streets, Metro stations and commercial centers in downtown Washington this summer as part of what federal officials have described as a "surge" in law enforcement ahead of America's 250th anniversary celebrations.

The initial deployment was about 800 members of the District of Columbia National Guard, which Trump controls, but about 18 Republican-led states have also contributed troops.

Michigan National Guard spokesman Dave Kennedy confirmed that the Michigan troops were all on the ground in Washington, D.C., as of last week. He said Monday that they're specifically supporting the America 250 festivities.

"They will definitely be there to support the event and then some follow-on support," Kennedy said.

Whitmer spokesman Bobby Leddy told NPR last week that the Michigan guard members were expected to help with the extra tourists in D.C. for America 250 activities and not for law enforcement purposes under the umbrella of the federal Joint Task Force operation.

Leddy said Michigan guard members have "only been approved to assist with a variety of missions designed to ensure a safe and welcoming environment" for visitors to D.C., including things like traffic management and logistical operations.

Whitmer in her Monday letter noted that the federal government is paying for this deployment of the Michigan guard.

"Moreover, this mission, like many past missions, represents a long and non-partisan tradition of state national guards providing limited support for momentous events in our nation’s capital, such as presidential inaugurations," Whitmer wrote.

"As Michiganders make their way to Washington, D.C. to celebrate this occasion ― including a visit to the Michigan booth at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall showcasing Michigan’s industries and products ― they can have confidence that the Michigan National Guard is doing its part to ensure a safe and secure visit."

The group Free DC, which has pushed for National Guard troops to leave the capital city, reported that 108 Michigan National Guard members arrived in Washington on June 15, the day before the city's primary election.

"Voluntarily sending troops to DC to serve under Trump’s command in an election year is reckless, it is dangerous, and Governor Whitmer should order these troops home today," Keya Chatterjee, executive director of Free DC, said in a statement.

The group posted a video to social media over the weekend of armed Michigan service members standing on a street corner in Georgetown near the waterfront.

The person shooting the video challenged one of the guardsmen to tell her how far away the Georgetown street corner is from the National Mall, where some of the 250th celebratory events are taking place, or if he knew what direction it was in.

"Not off the top of my head. No, m'am," one of the guardsmen replied.

"Do you know why you're here?" the woman recording the exchange asked.

"To help people. And support law enforcement," the young soldier answered.

"Ok, so who are you helping?" the woman countered.

"Random citizens. People who need help," the soldier said.

"You are finding random people who need help in Georgetown?" the woman said.

"I've had a few," the soldier said, nodding.

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