In a significant move, National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., this month to support President Donald Trump's initiative to combat crime will start carrying firearms beginning Sunday evening. This decision comes as part of a broader strategy aimed at enhancing public safety and crime mitigation in the nation's capital.
According to a Defense Department official familiar with the planning, the majority of the guard members will be armed with M17 pistols, their standard-issue sidearms. Additionally, a select few troops will carry their service M4 rifles. The authorization allows these troops to use their weapons strictly for self-protection, ensuring they are prepared to respond to any potential threats while on duty.
As of Sunday evening, several armed National Guard troops were spotted patrolling the Chinatown neighborhood of D.C. These troops were identifiable by patches labeled "MP," indicating their role as military police. This marks a notable shift in the responsibilities and operational posture of the National Guard members, who previously had been unarmed while assisting local law enforcement with tasks such as community safety patrols and traffic management.
On Friday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered the authorization for approximately 2,000 National Guard troops to carry weapons in D.C. This decision reflects a change from their earlier unarmed status, as they worked to support law enforcement. The Army has emphasized that all Guard members undergo initial, regular, ongoing, and refresher training, including completing annual weapons qualifications before being authorized to carry firearms.
A White House official informed NBC News that, despite being armed, the National Guard troops in D.C. will not be making arrests. Their primary focus remains on protecting federal assets and creating a secure environment for law enforcement officers executing arrests. Currently, more than 2,200 National Guard soldiers and airmen, predominantly from out of state, have been deployed to D.C. as part of Trump's campaign to address crime and homelessness in the area.
Interestingly, at the time of the National Guard's initial deployment, D.C. police data indicated that violent crime had already seen a decrease of approximately 27% year over year. This statistic has fueled criticism from some Democratic leaders, who argue that the deployment of troops is politically motivated. They accuse Trump of leveraging his presidential authority to create a perception of crisis, particularly in cities with Black leadership.
In a recent statement, Trump suggested that he might send military support to Baltimore if needed, following a disagreement with Democratic Maryland Governor Wes Moore. He referred to Baltimore as crime-ridden and stated, “But if Wes Moore needs help, like Gavin Newsom did in L.A., I will send in the ‘troops,’ which is being done in nearby D.C., and quickly clean up the crime,” via his Truth Social platform.
The deployment of the National Guard to urban areas like Washington, D.C., is historically rare. Typically, the National Guard is summoned to respond to emergencies such as natural disasters or instances of civil unrest. This shift in their deployment reflects the evolving landscape of public safety and law enforcement in the capital, as officials seek to address perceived threats to community security.
