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The latest announcement comes after the Pentagon and the Army had said last week that troops would not carry guns.
During a meeting with the troops on Thursday, Trump praised their efforts (X/@DeptofDefense)
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorised National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., to carry firearms, according to a report by the Associated Press. Hegseth shared the development on his Twitter account, calling it “common sense.” The Department of Defense, however, has not immediately released any further details regarding the decision.
Despite the announcement, no National Guard members were seen carrying weapons in the hours that followed. The arming of troops marks a shift from previous Pentagon and Army guidance issued just last week, which stated that the deployed personnel would not be armed. Under the new directive, the guardsmen will carry their service-issued weapons.
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The initial deployment began when President Donald Trump ordered 800 members of the District of Columbia National Guard to assist federal law enforcement. The move was aimed at addressing rising concerns over crime, homelessness, and illegal immigration. Since then, the number of deployed troops has grown, with six Republican-led states sending additional National Guard members to support the mission in the capital. The duration of the deployment remains unclear.
At present, nearly 2,000 National Guard troops are stationed across Washington. Although they have not engaged in direct law enforcement activities, their duties have included securing landmarks such as the National Mall and Union Station, as well as providing crowd control.
During a meeting with the troops on Thursday, Trump praised their efforts. Speaking to reporters on Friday, he said, “D.C. was a hellhole. But now it’s safe.” He also suggested that similar actions could be taken in other cities, specifically mentioning Chicago and New York. “After we do this, we’ll go to another location, and we’ll make it safe also,” Trump said. Referring to Chicago as “a mess,” he added, “that will be our next one after this.”
Meanwhile, Alex Wagner, a former chief of staff to the Army Secretary and former assistant secretary for the Air Force under Democratic administrations, criticised the move. He warned that arming troops is a “recipe for disaster,” arguing that most National Guard members lack the training required for Trump’s current law enforcement strategy and are being placed in a “no-win situation.”
- Location :
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
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