Weeks after President Trump federalized the Washington DC police and deployed the National Guard to the District in order to clamp down on crime, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth approved the 2,000 National Guard troops in Washington, DC, to carry “service-issued” weapons, according to the Pentagon.
The Pentagon issued a statement on the matter on Friday, commenting on the efforts of DC’s Joint Task Force addressing crime in the area.
“At the direction of the Secretary of Defense, JTF-DC members supporting the mission to lower the crime rate in our Nation’s capital will soon be on mission with their service-issued weapons, consistent with their mission and training,” the Pentagon stated. “The Interim Commanding General of the DC National Guard retains the authority to make any necessary force posture adjustments in coordination with the DC Metropolitan Police and Federal law enforcement partners.”
At least three states have sent their National Guard members to DC to aid Trump’s effort in “cleaning up” the city.
“Just yesterday we made 40 arrests, took 5 more illegal firearms off our streets, and had 36 ICE arrests —including a suspected MS-13 gang member,” US Attorney General Pam Bondi stated of the accomplishments of the increased law enforcement efforts in DC.
President Trump met with National Guard soldiers on Thursday and made some comments about their current work within the District, according to NBC News.
“I feel very safe now, and I’m hearing people are very safe,” Trump said. Directing himself toward the soldiers present, he stated further, “You people are winners, and I just think it’s such an honor to be with you. We’re going to make Washington, DC, great again.”
