In a significant move, over 2,300 National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C. to assist law enforcement began carrying weapons this past weekend. This deployment aims to enhance public safety and support local authorities amid ongoing security concerns. However, it's essential to note that the troops have been instructed to use their M17 pistols and M4 rifles strictly for self-defense or as a last resort, according to two Defense Department officials who spoke with NBC News.
The rules of engagement for these National Guard members emphasize that deadly force is only authorized when there is a "reasonable belief of an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm." A defense official elaborated that a potential threat must possess both the "ability and opportunity" to harm a guard member or others. The primary focus for these armed troops is to protect themselves and civilians, ensuring safety throughout the city.
Armed National Guard members will be equipped with the standard weapons they are trained on, which typically include M17 handguns and M4 semiautomatic rifles. These firearms are comparable to those utilized by local police departments across the United States, with the M4 being a standard semiautomatic rifle that aligns closely with law enforcement weapons. Additionally, some guard members may carry M9 pistols, further diversifying their armament.
The deployment of troops in Washington mirrors missions undertaken by National Guard members in other states. Typically, a state governor would activate the guard, but in this instance, it was the federal government that mobilized troops. In Washington, this process involves the mayor submitting a request to the defense secretary for activation. Following Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's order permitting armed deployment, some guard members began carrying weapons while on duty throughout the city.
This particular deployment encompasses personnel from D.C. and six other states: Louisiana, Ohio, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Although it is estimated that between 500 to 800 guard members may be present on the streets at any given time, this number fluctuates based on daily needs and circumstances, according to Defense Department officials.
Only guard members engaged in designated roles and missions will be armed. For instance, those performing "beautification" duties at national monuments typically will not carry weapons. In contrast, members on presence patrols may be armed, depending on local command decisions. Arming National Guard members during federal missions is a standard practice; a recent example includes guard troops in Los Angeles, who were also equipped with their unit-issued weapons, though there were no recorded instances of them firing their weapons.
President Donald Trump has characterized the deployment of the National Guard as part of his initiative to address violent crime in the nation’s capital. A U.S. official indicated that arming the guard in specific neighborhoods serves as a preventive measure, signaling to potential offenders to reconsider any harmful intentions. Thus far, there have been minimal incidents involving guard members, with one notable event occurring when Mississippi National Guard troops responded to a call for protection from a D.C. resident. They successfully formed a protective barrier against a threatening assailant while notifying local police, who subsequently took the suspect into custody.
On Monday, President Trump claimed that due to the deployment, Washington had not experienced a murder in 11 days, suggesting that it had been years since the city had gone over a week without a homicide. However, local police data reveals that Washington had previously gone 16 days without a murder earlier this year, from February 25 to March 12, highlighting the complexities of crime statistics in urban areas.
