WASHINGTON (AP) – Defense Secretary Pete Hegses ordered the National Guard troops patrol the streets of Washington President Donald Trump’s crackdown on law enforcement The Pentagon said Friday.
The Department of Defense did not provide any other details regarding new developments or why they were needed.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses meets with National Guard members at Union Station in Washington on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 (Alexander Drago/Pool via the Associated Press)
The step is escalation Trump’s intervention in police Hundreds of troops from several Republican-led states arrived this week as nearly 2,000 National Guard members are stationed in the city in the country’s capital.
Trump initially summoned 800 members of the District of Columbia National Guard to help the capital’s major enforcement of crime and crackdown on homelessness. Six states have since deployed troops to cities to increase their military presence.
It was unclear whether the role of security guards in federal intervention would change. Security guards have not participated in law enforcement so far, but have primarily protected landmarks such as the National Mall and Union Station and helped them control crowds.
The Pentagon and the Army said last week that the troops would not carry guns. The new guidance is for them to carry weapons issued by the service.
The city had been informed of the National Guard’s intention to arm, a person familiar with the conversation said earlier this week. The person was not permitted to disclose the plan and spoke anonymously.
President Donald Trump will speak with law enforcement and National Guard soldiers in Washington on Thursday, August 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jaclyn Martin)
A spokesperson for the District of Columbia National Guard and the military task force that oversees all Washington security forces did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.
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Associated Press writer Anna Johnson contributed to this report.
