National Guard troops are actively moving around Washington, D.C., making patrols less predictable in response to a recent ambush that resulted in one soldier’s death and left another severely injured.
On Friday, small groups of security personnel were seen moving quickly on foot through downtown, including near the site where Rahmanullah Rakanwal allegedly shot Sarah Beckstrom, 20, and Andrew Wolfe, 24.
Prior to the attack on Wednesday, National Guard members typically held fixed positions, often in pairs, throughout the city’s subways, major roads, and the National Mall.
One Guard member, speaking anonymously, mentioned, “We have to set everything to some kind of higher standard instead of some kind of relaxed standard, which, you know, used to be the case.” They added that they’re now always on high alert due to previous heckling.
The new patrols will now involve members of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department, which brings more resources and familiarity with the area.
According to a report by The Washington Post, D.C. police will join the National Guard temporarily, marking a shift in strategy in light of the recent threats.
An email to D.C. officials, obtained by The Washington Post, stated, “Police officers will conduct high-visibility patrols with the National Guard and provide assistance as needed.”
A spokesperson for the District of Columbia Joint Task Force has not confirmed the specifics of this plan.
“We intend to maintain our relationship with the police as they are one of our key law enforcement partners,” the spokesperson remarked. They also noted that operational security concerns prevent further discussion of changes to their security posture.
Chris Swecker, a former FBI Assistant Director, commented, “I think this is a healthy thing to do. It just strengthens each other. It just gives them more deterrence for them to target the National Guard,” reflecting on the adjustments in deployment.
He also mentioned the prevalence of ambushes targeting police officers across the country. “You can’t draw your gun and circle it like you’re in a 24/7 gunfight. It’s tough to prevent this sort of thing when you’re dealing with motivated individuals in busy areas,” he noted.
In response to the mass shooting, President Trump ordered an additional 500 National Guard troops to D.C. At that time, there were already 2,000 Guard members stationed there as part of his “Safe and Beautiful Task Force.”
