President Trump Requests Additional National Guard Troops Following Shooting Incident

Secretary of the Army Pete Hegseth announced that President Trump requested the deployment of two more National Guard members to Washington, D.C., after a tragic incident where two soldiers were shot and killed near the White House just before Thanksgiving.

During a press briefing on Wednesday, Hegseth detailed the president’s appeal, stating, “That’s intolerable. That’s why President Trump is asking me, and I’m asking the Secretary of the Army, to add 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.”

He emphasized the administration’s commitment to enhancing safety in the capital, noting, “This only further strengthens our resolve to make Washington, D.C., safe and beautiful. The reduction in crime is historic; the improvement in safety and security is remarkable. But when criminals attempt such acts of violence against our best, we will never back down,” Trump asserted.

Hegseth condemned the shooting as “despicable,” mentioning that it left a security guard “severely injured.” He referred to the Guard members as “heroes” who courageously serve their country and community.

“They were willing to take risks for others because of their love for fellow Americans. Someone chose to target the National Guard,” he remarked.

On Truth Social, President Trump mentioned that the assailant who carried out the shooting was also “severely injured.”

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrissey indicated that both involved Guardsmen were from his state. Initially, he reported that both had succumbed to their injuries, but he later shared that he received conflicting updates regarding their status.

The shooting occurred near the White House, with footage showing the 1700 block of Pennsylvania Avenue cordoned off with police tape. Mari Otu, a White House correspondent, reported hearing gunshots while traveling in an Uber near the Farragut West subway station around 2:15 p.m.