National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., will now carry weapons for personal protection and are allowed to carry out law enforcement duties, defense officials said.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered National Guard members patrolling the streets of Washington, DC, to begin carrying their service weapons as they fulfill President Donald Trump’s crime crackdown in the nation’s capital,

With several states deploying some troops to Washington, D.C., the nation's capital has around 2,000 National Guard troops deployed.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized up to 2,000 National Guard troops to carry weapons in Washington, D.C., if necessary, a Joint Task Force spokesperson confirmed to FOX 5 DC.

President Trump’s military presence in Washington, DC continues to escalate, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirming that National Guard troops deployed in the capitol will now be armed and authorized to carry out local law enforcement duties.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized National Guard troops and airmen to carry weapons in D.C. if their mission requires it amid a Trump administration crackdown on crime.

Nearly 2,000 National Guard troops have now been deployed to join President Donald Trump's crackdown on Washington, DC.

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and a trio of senior department officials with ties to the National Guard paid a visit to roughly 300 mobilized National Guardsmen at the D.C. Armory in Washington Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025. The four leaders thanked the Soldiers and airmen for their efforts to increase safety throughout the city.

Protesters heckled Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as they walked through Union Station in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday (August 20) to meet National Guard troops at the station.