U.S. President Donald Trump has expanded his Washington, D.C. security crackdown by ordering National Guard troops on D.C. streets to begin carrying firearms, the Pentagon confirmed Friday.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the new policy after nearly 2,000 Guard members were deployed in the nation’s capital as part of Trump’s crime, immigration, and homelessness crackdown in Washington, D.C. The Defense Department has not explained why the change is happening now.
A Growing Military Presence in the Nation’s Capital
Trump first activated 800 D.C. National Guard troops earlier this summer. Since then, Republican-led states have sent additional Guard units, expanding the troop presence across major areas including the National Mall, Union Station, and downtown landmarks.
Until this week, Guard members were mainly tasked with crowd control, patrolling tourist areas, and assisting city visitors. Troops have even been spotted taking photos with pedestrians, carrying luggage for travelers, and feeding squirrels—without visible signs of threat.
The shift to armed soldiers in Washington, D.C. marks a major escalation, raising concerns about whether Guard members may soon take on direct law enforcement roles.
Trump: “D.C. is Safe Again”
Speaking Friday, Trump praised the deployment, saying:
“D.C. was a hell hole. But now it’s safe. It’s a miracle what’s happened.”
He also hinted that the armed National Guard deployment in Washington could be extended indefinitely.
“The big question is how long do we stay?” Trump said. “We have to make sure criminals don’t come back. We’re cleaning up this city for good.”
Trump also announced he would request $2 billion from Congress to beautify Washington, D.C.—resurfacing roads, replacing streetlights, and even upgrading public parks to look like one of his golf courses.
Criticism Over Arming the Guard
Not everyone supports the move. Alex Wagner, a former Army and Air Force official, warned that arming National Guard troops in a civilian policing crackdown is “a recipe for disaster.”
He argued that most Guard soldiers lack the specialized training required for street-level law enforcement, making their new role risky.
“Do they need firearms for what they’re doing now? No,” Wagner said. “But if there are confrontations, the White House can spin it politically.”
What Comes Next
The Pentagon, Army, and D.C. leaders have not fully explained how the change will affect Guard duties. Local officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and the city’s police department, have not issued formal responses.
With thousands of Guard troops now armed on the streets of Washington, D.C., the city faces a historic moment: a capital patrolled by soldiers in uniform, carrying weapons, as part of a president’s direct intervention in urban crime and security.