National Guard in Washington, DC begins carrying weapons
National Guard in Washington, DC begins carrying weapons / AP
5 hours ago
Members of the US National Guard in Washington, DC have started carrying firearms, with officials cautioning Sunday that “detentions may occur, leading to arrests.”
The move, reported by The Washington Post, highlights an expanded military role in President Donald Trump’s federal intervention in policing the nation’s capital.
A Joint Task Force–DC spokesperson confirmed that Guard members are now armed with standard weapons, such as M4 carbines and M17 pistols, as part of a deployment involving troops from Washington and six other states.
On Sunday, Guard personnel were seen at Union Station with their sidearms. Officials stressed that they are operating under strict rules allowing force only as a last resort and solely in response to imminent threats of death or serious injury.
The task force said the Guard’s mission remains focused on supporting local and federal law enforcement efforts in the city, adding that it is “committed to public safety.”
This development follows Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth’s decision authorising Guard units under Trump’s anti-crime initiative to carry weapons.
To bolster the DC force, more than 1,900 National Guard members from West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Louisiana, and Tennessee have been deployed, with contingents arriving in the capital last week.
