Gordon: Wyoming keeping Guard troops home, ready if needed

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) - There are no plans to deploy Wyoming National Guard troops to quell riots in other states but they will be available in case they're needed in Wyoming or elsewhere in the region, Gov. Mark Gordon said.

Federal officials have been asking state officials whether they would be able to deploy troops to Washington, D.C.

In Denver, rioting and looting as well as peaceful protests have occurred since the death of George Floyd, a black man pinned to the ground by his neck by a white police officer in Minneapolis, on May 25.

Gordon has been talking with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis but so far no states have asked Wyoming for help, Gordon spokesman Michael Pearlman said by email.

Gordon supports the right to peacefully protest but condemns "violent protests and criminal behavior" and is willing to activate Guard troops if necessary, Pearlman said.

States including Maryland, South Carolina, Tennessee and Utah have sent troops to the nation's capital in recent days. Other states including New York and Virginia have so far rejected the request.