National Guard Vehicle Collides with Civilian Car on Capitol Hill Amid Troop Deployment

An armored National Guard Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All Terrain Vehicle (M-ATV) collided with a civilian SUV on Capitol Hill, Washington D.C., as part of an expanded deployment of nearly 1,900 National Guard troops ordered by President Donald Trump to crack down on crime in the capital. The civilian driver was extricated from the vehicle and transported to a hospital with minor injuries. The M-ATVs, originally designed for combat zones with heavy armor and V-shaped hulls to deflect roadside bombs, weigh approximately 14 to 15 tons, raising concerns about their operation on city streets. This incident occurred amid increased National Guard presence at key locations including 10 Metro stations, with troops conducting presence patrols and assisting local police, while officials report significant reductions in violent crime and robberies. Several Republican-led states have contributed troops to support the initiative, which has led to over 550 arrests so far, reinforcing the administration’s goal to restore safety and order in Washington D.C. The crash is currently under investigation, and it has sparked public unease about the use of military vehicles in civilian areas.