National Guard units stationed in Washington, DC, as part of President Donald Trump’s anti-crime initiative have commenced carrying firearms, indicating a notable increase in the military presence on the streets of the capital.
A spokesperson for the Joint Task Force confirmed that service members had begun to carry their sidearms, following a directive issued late last week by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Guard members from South Carolina were observed near Union Station with holstered handguns.
A CNN reporter also noted that troops with long guns were patrolling The Wharf, a bustling waterfront area.
Maj Michael A Maxwell of the National Guard task force stated that troops would resort to using force “only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm,” as reported. He emphasized that all deployed personnel had undergone training under stringent rules of engagement.
A defence department official clarified that only specific units on designated missions would be armed, with some carrying rifles and others handguns. Those assigned to administrative or transport roles would likely remain unarmed.
Over 2,200 Guard personnel are presently deployed in Washington, with support from Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, and approximately 900 members from DC itself. Their responsibilities include assisting local police at transit locations and engaging in “community restoration” initiatives, as stated by Maxwell.
This deployment, which was authorized by Trump two weeks ago, occurs in the context of his broader federal initiative to combat crime and homelessness. Nevertheless, critics argue that the operation has lacked a clear purpose thus far, with a significant portion of the efforts focused on the detention of undocumented immigrants rather than tackling violent crime.
Outside Union Station, protesters faced off against armed guards. One protester held a placard reading “Free DC,” while another sounded a cowbell. Abbey Schneider, a visitor who previously resided in the city, was quoted as saying, “I have a visceral reaction to it. I feel it is unnecessary and a little bit scary. It feels like an escalation.”
Trump has indicated that other cities governed by Democrats might be targeted next. He has openly threatened to deploy troops to Chicago, New York, and Baltimore, citing concerns over crime. In response to criticism from Maryland’s Democratic Governor Wes Moore, Trump stated on Truth Social that he would not hesitate to “send in the troops” if necessary, drawing a parallel to his previous deployment in Los Angeles.
Moore dismissed these assertions, noting that violent crime in Baltimore has significantly decreased. “The president is dedicating all of his time to discussing me,” he remarked on CBS’s Face the Nation. “I am focused on the needs of the people I represent.”
Brandon Johnson, the Democratic Mayor of Chicago, pledged to take legal action if federal troops were deployed, asserting, “We will not relinquish our humanity to this tyrant.” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also accused Trump of attempting to “manufacture a crisis” for his own political advantage.
