Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is reported to have authorized nearly 2,000 National Guard troops stationed in our nation’s capital to carry weapons when their mission necessitates it. This development signals a potential expansion in the security role in Washington, D.C.
This authorization is anticipated to come into effect in the forthcoming days, as the Guard force, assembled from the District and six Republican-led states, continues to bolster its presence in the city. According to reliable sources, President Donald Trump, who recently visited the Guard personnel, has urged them to adopt a firmer role in law enforcement.
The President reportedly encouraged the troops, stating, “You’ve got to be strong, you’ve got to be tough. You’ve got to do your job. Whatever it takes.” This message was delivered at the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility.
This surge follows President Trump’s declaration that crime in Washington was “out of control,” and his unprecedented decision to take over D.C. police operations. While initial Guard deployments were confined to tourist areas such as the National Mall, Hegseth’s order raises the possibility of armed patrols in high-crime neighborhoods.
President Trump suggested that the troops could remain for six months or longer, associating their deployment with wider plans for urban renewal in the capital. “At the end of the year, this place will be maxed out in terms of beauty,” he said.
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Local leaders have expressed strong criticism of the federal action. Mayor Muriel Bowser described the Guard deployment as an “armed militia in the nation’s capital,” emphasizing that violent crime has dropped 26% since 2024, reaching a 30-year low. The Pentagon has yet to comment on the decision.
This raises important questions about the balance between public safety and military presence in our nation’s capital. We await further developments on this critical issue.