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Trump, Donald

National Guard Troops in Washington May Carry Weapons as Initial Deployment Orders Reversed

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

National Guard personnel, deployed to Washington, D.C. to aid in policing efforts, initially received orders to leave their weapons at the armory. However, this directive may be reversed as the troops await written instructions from senior Defense Department officials. The change comes as West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) announced that his state would send 300 to 400 National Guard troops to the nation's capital. The deployment is part of President Trump's ongoing effort to make D.C. "safe and beautiful," with the National Guard playing a key role in protecting federal assets and creating a safe environment for law enforcement officials.

Key Takeaways:

  • Initial deployment orders for National Guard personnel in Washington, D.C. specified that they would not be armed, with their weapons left at the armory.
  • The directive may be reversed as troops await written instructions from senior Defense Department officials, with some people familiar with the planning indicating that National Guard personnel may be armed consistent with their mission and training.
  • West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey (R) has announced that his state will send 300 to 400 National Guard troops to aid in policing efforts in Washington, D.C.
  • The federal government will fund the deployment of West Virginia's National Guard troops and provide them with mission-essential equipment and specialized training.
  • The National Guard will protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement officials, and provide a visible presence to deter crime.
  • Approximately 800 troops from the D.C. National Guard have already mobilized, with 200 members on the streets at a time.
  • Protests over the deployment of National Guard troops in D.C. have been sporadic, with a group confronting service members on Constitution Avenue on Saturday with signs and chants of "Free D.C."
  • The Trump administration has cast the deployments as part of an ongoing effort to battle crime that is out of control, despite violent crime in D.C. being on a decline since 2023.

Statistics:

  • 300 to 400 National Guard troops from West Virginia are expected to be deployed to Washington, D.C. as part of President Trump's policing efforts.
  • The federal government will fund the deployment of West Virginia's National Guard troops.
  • Approximately 800 troops from the D.C. National Guard have already mobilized, with 200 members on the streets at a time.
  • Violent crime in Washington, D.C. has been on a decline since 2023.

Sources:

  • A White House spokesman (no date provided)
  • An Army statement (Thursday, no time provided)
  • An Army spokesman, Maj. Montrell Russell (no date provided)
  • Capt. Tinashe Machona, a D.C. National Guard spokesman (no date provided)
  • The Washington Post (previous report on violent crime in D.C., 2023)
  • A Pentagon press secretary, Kingsley Wilson (Thursday, no time provided)

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