National Guard to be Armed in Washington D.C., Expansion to Other Cities Considered
following a period of deployment to Washington D.C.,the Pentagon has authorized National Guard troops stationed in the capital to carry their service-issued weapons,consistent with their training and mission parameters. The decision’s impact on the troops’ current role remains unclear.
Currently, the National Guard presence in Washington D.C. has focused on providing security near landmarks like the National Mall and Union station, and has not involved direct participation in law enforcement. Law enforcement operations have been conducted by local police and federal agencies.
The deployment comes as President Trump has declared Washington D.C. “safe,” contrasting it with his earlier description of the city as a “hellhole.” He has also suggested expanding the mission to cities like Chicago,where the governance has previously clashed with local leadership.
Approximately 1,700 National Guardsmen are anticipated to mobilize across 19 states in the coming weeks, with Texas contributing the largest number of troops. These guardsmen will support the efforts of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and act as a visible deterrent.
Despite characterizing the Washington D.C. mission as successful, President Trump is considering declaring a national emergency when the current 30-day deployment period ends. Such a declaration would allow him to extend the troop presence indefinitely.
Several states led by Republicans, including South Carolina and West Virginia, have already provided forces for the operation.
President Trump has also announced his intention to request $2 billion from Congress to “beautify” Washington D.C., despite recent legislation passed by the Republican-controlled Congress that resulted in a $1.1 billion budget cut for the city.
According to Attorney general Pam Bondi, over 700 arrests have been made sence the operation began, including 40 on Thursday, and 91 illegal firearms have been seized.
However, local officials, including Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, have questioned the necessity of federal intervention, citing a meaningful decrease in crime and a reported 30-year low in violent crime.
A recent poll conducted by the Washington Post and Schar School revealed strong opposition to the federal deployment among D.C. residents, with nearly 80% opposing both the presence of federal officers and the National Guard, as well as any federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department.(Additional reporting by Jack burgess)
