Defense Secretary Authorizes Armed National Guard Deployment in DC
Defense Secretary Authorizes Armed National Guard Deployment in DC
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed an order authorizing National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C., to carry weapons, marking a significant escalation in the federal government’s efforts to address crime in the nation’s capital. The new authority, confirmed by a defense official on Friday, August 22, 2025, is expected to be acted upon in the coming days.
This decision paves the way for the nearly 2,000 mobilized troops to potentially expand their operations, including security patrols in neighborhoods struggling with crime. President Donald Trump has been a vocal proponent of a larger military role in D.C. law enforcement, telling Guard personnel on Thursday, August 21, 2025, to “do your job. Whatever it takes to do your job.”
The move comes after Trump declared D.C. crime out of control last week and ordered 800 D.C. National Guard members to active duty, supplemented by an additional 1,200 troops from six Republican-led states. However, the deployment has faced opposition, with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser criticizing Trump’s actions on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, as deploying an “armed militia.” Mayor Bowser asserts that violent crime in the city has significantly decreased, reaching a 30-year low.
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