Aug 16 (Reuters) - The Republican governors of West Virginia and South Carolina 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 nation's capital as awash in crime.

West Virginia is sending 300 to 400 members of its National Guard to the nation’s capital to assist in the Trump administration’s takeover of the city’s police department.

The West Virginia National Guard (WVNG) has been directed by Governor Patrick Morrisey to support President Trump’s federal takeover by deploying troops to Washington, D.C., at the request of the Trump administration.