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Washington D.C. – Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized armed patrols by National Guard members in Washington D.C. The nearly 2,000 troops mobilized in the district will soon carry weapons while on duty, a defense official confirmed. This new authorization is expected to take effect in the coming days and will expand the Guard’s operational capacity, potentially including patrols in high-crime neighborhoods.
The official stated, “At the direction of the Secretary of Defense, [Joint Task Force]-DC members supporting the mission to lower the crime rate in our nation’s capital will soon be on mission with their service-issued weapons, consistent with their mission and training.”
This move follows a visit by President Donald Trump to National Guard personnel on Thursday, during which he hinted at an increased military role in the city’s law enforcement. While the Guard will be armed, they will not have arrest powers and will continue to transfer detained individuals to law enforcement as quickly as possible.
The D.C. National Guard remains committed to protecting the District and those who live, work, and visit, the official added.
National Guard members from other states, including West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Louisiana, and Tennessee, are arriving in Washington to support the D.C. National Guard in this mission.