President Donald Trump’s crime crackdown in Washington, D.C., entered a new phase as National Guard troops deployed in the city began carrying weapons on Sunday, CNN reported.
The move follows a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorizing the Guard to carry sidearms, M4 rifles, or M17 handguns, depending on their unit.
The deployment is part of Trump’s executive order, “Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful,” which not only calls for a federal takeover of D.C.’s policing but also directs Guard units to handle “beautification” tasks such as graffiti removal and park cleanup.
🔴National Guard Troops in Washington DC Begin Carrying Weapons Amid Crime Crackdown🔴
— Central News (@centralnewsza) August 25, 2025
Washington – The National Guard began carrying weapons Sunday in the US capital Washington, where President Donald Trump has deployed more than 2,200 troops as part of a crackdown on crime,… pic.twitter.com/gnxgQIqT1U
To bolster manpower, more than 1,300 Guardsmen from GOP-led states including West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio have joined local forces, bringing total troop numbers to 2,274.
While overall crime has dipped modestly, arrests of immigrants have surged. Trump also signed a new order creating specialized Guard units to manage public order issues, signaling further federal control.
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TIPP Staff
