National Guard in Washington, D.C. Authorized to Carry Weapons
Sources indicate that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegses has approved an order allowing National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. to be armed when deemed necessary.
“At the direction of the Secretary of Defense, JTF-DC members, who are tasked with reducing crime in our nation’s capital, will soon be issued weapons by their respective services, in line with their mission and training.”
This new directive is expected to be implemented shortly, emphasizing the military’s commitment to addressing crime in the capital. This follows last week’s decision to take control of local police efforts to combat what has been described as “out of control” crime.
On Wednesday, however, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed her opposition to what she referred to as “armed militias in the nation’s capital.”
“Crime has been decreasing in our city, significantly over the past two years, thanks to considerable efforts and revisions in our public safety system,” Bowser stated.
In contrast, President Donald Trump has called for additional troops from nearby states to aid the efforts in D.C. So far, six Republican governors have agreed to assist, with forces arriving from Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Critics have pointed out that officials from these states are sending help to D.C. while their own cities experience higher crime rates, excluding South Carolina.
During a visit to the U.S. Parks Police Anacostia Operations Facility, Trump thanked both the D.C. police and National Guard members present in various bustling areas around the capital, including the Washington Memorial, throughout the week.
While there, he hinted that he intends to remain in D.C. for over six months, suggesting a drive to “make D.C. great again.”
“You work safely. I’ll set things right here. I’ll take pride in this by the end of six months,” he claimed. “By the end of the year, this place will have transformed beautifully. All new surfaces, new medians—everything will look wonderful,” he emphasized.
