WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.
PULSE POINTS
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized 2,000 armed National Guard troops to patrol Washington, D.C. with service-issued weapons, if necessary.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the D.C. National Guard, the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), federal law enforcement partners, and President Donald J. Trump.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Authorization made on Thursday, in Washington, D.C.
💬KEY QUOTE: “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.” – a Defense Department official
🎯IMPACT: Armed National Guard troops will be visible in D.C. to assist in lowering crime but will not make arrests, instead detaining suspects temporarily before transferring them to law enforcement.
IN FULL
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized 2,000 National Guard troops to patrol Washington, D.C., with their service-issued weapons, if necessary, according to a Defense Department (DOD) official. Currently, they are supporting federal and federalized law enforcement in the American capital without firearms.
“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 DOD official said, adding: “The Interim Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard retains the authority to make any necessary force posture adjustments in coordination with the D.C. Metropolitan Police and Federal law enforcement partners. The D.C. National Guard remains committed to safeguarding the District of Columbia and serving those who live, work, and visit the District.”
While troops will not be making arrests, they will have the ability to temporarily detain individuals before transferring suspects to law enforcement. Armed National Guard personnel could be seen in the coming days.
President Donald J. Trump met with National Guardsmen and law enforcement officers in Washington, D.C., on Thursday at the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility. Trump brought pizza and hamburgers for the officers, showing support for their efforts in restoring order in the capital city.
“We want to make this absolutely perfect. It’s our capital. And, I guess it used to be many years ago, safe, but it’s certainly not had a… very good run. And you got to be strong. You got to be tough. You got to do your job. Whatever it takes to do your job, you got to do your job,” Trump told the officers during his visit.
Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.
show less
