National Guard members deployed to Washington, DC began carrying service weapons Sunday evening as part of President Trump’s crime reduction initiative in the capital.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized about 2,000 National Guard troops to carry arms after being deployed unarmed since last week. The Joint Task Force-DC confirmed that troops started carrying service-issued weapons on August 24.
Most members are equipped with M17 pistols, while a smaller number carry M4 rifles, according to defense officials. The shift marks a significant change from earlier deployment guidelines.
Troops are authorized to use weapons only as a last resort in response to an imminent threat of death or serious harm, the task force said. The arms are intended primarily for personal protection.
Over 1,900 troops from six states West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Louisiana, and Tennessee have joined DC Guard forces. They are deployed under Title 32 status, meaning they remain under state governor control and are exempt from Posse Comitatus restrictions.
Reporters observed National Guard members carrying rifles Sunday evening in The Wharf, a busy waterfront district. Officials confirmed that arrests may occur as part of expanded operations.
President Trump ordered the deployment as part of an “urgent crackdown on crime and lawlessness.” Earlier this month, he also federalized control of the Metropolitan Police Department.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser criticized the move as federal overreach, citing police data that showed violent crime dropped 26% compared to last year. Meanwhile, the Justice Department is investigating whether local officials manipulated crime statistics
Analysts note that deploying the National Guard for crime reduction is highly unusual, as the force is traditionally used for natural disasters and civil unrest rather than routine law enforcement.
