A coalition of advocacy groups is pressing Gov. Josh Green for a Hawaii National Guard recall from Washington, D.C., after the state sent troops to support events marking the nation’s 250th anniversary of independence earlier this month.

The coalition, which includes Common Cause Hawaii and national organizations such as the Brennan Center for Justice, said in a letter they were surprised and disappointed by Green’s decision to add to the already large military presence in the district, part of President Donald Trump’s crime crackdown.

Thousands of armed National Guard members, largely from Republican-led states, have patrolled D.C. streets for nearly a year. The deployment drew criticism from residents and local leaders, and it began when violent crime in the district was at a 30-year low, according to federal prosecutors.

Although Hawaii’s unit was tasked with security for the “Freedom 250” festivities, the letter warned that the potential for misuse in that role is unacceptably high. The groups called the use of military force to police civilians unprecedented, dangerous, and unlawful, noting that Hawaii has joined federal litigation arguing such deployments are illegal.

Hawaii National Guard recall sought amid broader push

Green is not the only Democratic governor under pressure. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz pulled his troops early after they were seen patrolling neighborhoods far from the celebration sites, according to public reports.

It is not clear whether the 27 Hawaii troops have conducted neighborhood patrols. Hawaiʻi Adjutant Gen. Stephen Logan said in a statement that the personnel are specifically assigned under a battalion-sized task force dedicated to security and support for America/Freedom 250 events and venues.

The Hawaii contingent arrived in D.C. on July 6 for a mission running through the end of August, with the option to extend up to 90 days.

“The Hawaii National Guard exists to protect the people of Hawaii, not to police Americans in their own neighborhoods,” said Camron Hurt, state director for Common Cause Hawaii. He warned that allowing the troops to be used to intimidate and harass people in Washington, D.C., sets a dangerous precedent and called on Green to bring them home immediately.

The letter follows similar appeals from the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, Indivisible Hawaiʻi, and the Hawaiʻi Coalition for Immigrant Rights. Those groups argue the Guard should remain in-state as hurricane season approaches and focus on core missions like disaster relief and emergency response.

They noted members have supported storm recovery, fought wildfires, and stayed ready for other state emergencies over the past year, and said an open-ended mission thousands of miles away would undermine readiness.

Sergio Alcubilla, community engagement director at the ACLU of Hawaiʻi, said the governor’s office acknowledged receiving the letter but did not provide a response. Green declined an interview request regarding this week’s letter and referred questions to his communications team, citing a busy schedule that included bill signings, energy policy work, and campaign activities.

Earlier this year, in a separate look at statewide leadership, Hawaii lieutenant governor candidates answer key questions about public safety and government priorities.