The National Guard is a reserve force of the U.S. military that is typically deployed by states in response to natural disasters, although it has been used in the past by presidents to help quell domestic unrest - including President George H.W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots in 1992.

A senior Army official said that some troops were deploying with D.C. police Tuesday night and that their mobilization marked the beginning of the deployment of 800 National Guard members.

From upholding civil rights rulings to quelling civil disturbances and even delivering mail, other presidents have sent out National Guard units.