Pentagon Orders Arming National Guard in Washington DC

President Trump ordered nearly 2,000 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., as part of a federal crackdown on crime, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently authorizing these troops to carry service-issued weapons, marking an escalation in the intervention. Initially, the troops were not armed and primarily focused on protecting landmarks and crowd control, but the new authorization allows them to conduct security patrols and support law enforcement more actively. Trump has praised the troops' efforts, asserting the city feels safer and promising to sustain the operation until crime is significantly reduced. The federal takeover includes the invocation of the Home Rule Act to federalize D.C.'s police operations, amid allegations that local officials underreported crime statistics. The Justice Department highlights arrests related to drugs, weapons, and gang activity during the operation, with Trump seeking congressional funding for related construction and beautification projects in the capital. Meanwhile, the involvement of National Guard troops from Republican-led states and federal agencies reflects broad federal commitment to the initiative.