National Guard troops deployed to Washington, DC, could soon begin carrying weapons, as President Donald Trump expands the Guard’s role in the capital with reinforcements from West Virginia.
The Wall Street Journal reported that some Guard members were told late Friday to prepare for an order authorizing them to carry weapons, though no formal directive had been issued as of Saturday morning.
On Aug 11, 2025, Pres. Trump deployed roughly 800 National Guard troops to DC, claiming to combat "violent gangs" and homelessness; he also federalized DC police. Troops initially unarmed for visibility/logistics.
According to the Defense Department, as per the Independent, about 200 troops were on patrol by Thursday, August 14. On Saturday, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced his state would send an additional 300–400 personnel to Washington at the Trump administration's request.
The deployment will include “mission-essential equipment, specialized training, and approximately 300–400 skilled personnel as directed,” Morrisey’s office said in a statement.
The mission will be federally funded and framed as a show of “commitment to public safety and regional cooperation.”
A White House official told The Independent that the Guard’s mission remains unchanged. “The National Guard will protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime,” the official said.
Trump claimed he mobilized troops and federalized DC police in response to "out of control" crime. However, data shows that violent crime in Washington, D.C. has been decreasing, reaching its lowest point in over 30 years by 2024, according to the Justice Department.
Pentagon officials stated that the National Guard is trained in de-escalation tactics and will take on a role similar to their deployment in Los Angeles in June.
During that time, Trump mobilized over 4,000 Guard members, 700 Marines, and other federal agents in response to LA protests related to immigration.
The Wall Street Journal reported that some Guard members were told late Friday to prepare for an order authorizing them to carry weapons, though no formal directive had been issued as of Saturday morning.
On Aug 11, 2025, Pres. Trump deployed roughly 800 National Guard troops to DC, claiming to combat "violent gangs" and homelessness; he also federalized DC police. Troops initially unarmed for visibility/logistics.
According to the Defense Department, as per the Independent, about 200 troops were on patrol by Thursday, August 14. On Saturday, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced his state would send an additional 300–400 personnel to Washington at the Trump administration's request.
The deployment will include “mission-essential equipment, specialized training, and approximately 300–400 skilled personnel as directed,” Morrisey’s office said in a statement.
The mission will be federally funded and framed as a show of “commitment to public safety and regional cooperation.”
A White House official told The Independent that the Guard’s mission remains unchanged. “The National Guard will protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials to carry out their duties when required, and provide a visible presence to deter crime,” the official said.
Trump claimed he mobilized troops and federalized DC police in response to "out of control" crime. However, data shows that violent crime in Washington, D.C. has been decreasing, reaching its lowest point in over 30 years by 2024, according to the Justice Department.
Pentagon officials stated that the National Guard is trained in de-escalation tactics and will take on a role similar to their deployment in Los Angeles in June.
During that time, Trump mobilized over 4,000 Guard members, 700 Marines, and other federal agents in response to LA protests related to immigration.
