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Hegseth orders National Guard troops in DC to carry weapons
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized nearly 2,000 National Guard troops to carry service-issued weapons in Washington, D.C., expanding their security role amid federal crime crackdown.
- On August 21, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed that National Guard personnel stationed in Washington, D.C. for President Trump's law enforcement efforts be equipped with firearms.
- This directive reverses last week's Pentagon and Army assurances that the National Guard would remain unarmed and coincides with the expanded deployment of nearly 2,000 troops from several Republican-led states.
- The troops have primarily focused on safeguarding landmarks and managing crowds, while Trump applauded the improvements, calling the situation "a miracle," and pledged to seek $2 billion from Congress to enhance the city's infrastructure and appearance.
- Mayor Bowser reported violent crime at a 30-year low, though reports differ as some officials contest her figures, and National Guard authorization includes conditions on weapons use consistent with their mission and training.
- The deployment marks an escalation of federal intervention in D.C., bypassing local leaders and raising concerns over the duration and implications of armed National Guard presence in the heavily Democratic city.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Orders National Guard Members Patrolling D.C. Streets To Carry Weapons
This was a big move. The previously unarmed National Guard members deployed to Washington D.C. can now carry weapons. As part of the Trump administration plan to crack down on crime in the Nation’s Capital, Hegseth announced that military members patrolling the D.C. will now be allowed to carry their service weapons. BREAKING: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has just authorized 2,000 National Guard troops on the ground in DC to be ARMED Hegseth’…
National Guard Deployed In Washington Will Be Armed Soon, Says Pentagon
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered that National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington for President Donald Trump's law enforcement crackdown will be armed, the Pentagon said Friday.
Hegseth authorizes troops in D.C. to carry weapons | Honolulu Star-Advertiser
WASHINGTON >> Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized National Guard troops deployed to Washington to bring their weapons with them on their mission. But it was not clear whether the troops would be armed as they walked through the city or simply store their weapons in their vehicles, which would not be a significant change over their current status.
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