National Guard units currently stationed in Washington D.C. to assist in the fight against crime will begin arming themselves this Sunday evening, according to a Defense Department source familiar with the situation.
Most of the guardsmen will be issued M17 pistols, their primary sidearm, while a few will have M4 rifles on hand. They are permitted to use these firearms strictly for self-defense.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized around 2,000 National Guard personnel to start carrying weapons, marking a significant change from their previous unarmed status. Previously, the guardsmen had been offering support to local law enforcement through community safety patrols, managing traffic, and assisting with crowd control.
In alignment with Hegseth’s new directive, the Army confirmed that “Guard members receive initial, regular, ongoing and refresher training” and must pass annual weapons qualification tests before they can wield firearms.
Despite being armed, National Guard troops in D.C. won’t be making any arrests as of Saturday night, retaining their focus on safeguarding federal properties and ensuring a secure environment for law enforcement officers on duty.
A wave of more than 2,200 National Guard soldiers and airmen, mostly from other states, was deployed to the district. This is part of Trump’s detailed strategy to address concerns about crime and homelessness in the area. It’s worth noting that, according to data from D.C. police, violent crimes had seen a 27% decrease in comparison to the previous year when the troops were deployed.
Critics from the Democratic Party have slammed this deployment, suggesting it has a partisan agenda and that Trump is using intimidation tactics, particularly against cities led by Black officials.
On Sunday, Trump issued a warning to consider sending military units to Baltimore, after a disagreement with Democratic Maryland Governor Wes Moore, calling the city “crime-ridden.”
“If Wes Moore needs support, just like Gavin Newsom did in L.A., I will dispatch the ‘troops,’ similar to what’s happening in nearby D.C., to swiftly address the Crime concerns,” Trump stated in a message on Truth Social.
It’s important to remember that the National Guard’s use in urban settings like D.C. is quite unusual since their deployment is generally reserved for responding to emergencies like natural disasters or unrest.
This article was initially reported by NBCNews.com.
