WASHINGTON — Members of the U.S. National Guard deployed in the nation’s capital as part of President Donald Trump’s federal crime crackdown have been authorized to carry firearms, including M17 pistols and M4 rifles, officials confirmed Monday.
The decision underscores escalating tensions in Washington, where more than 1,900 Guard personnel have been mobilized under Trump’s order to bolster local law enforcement.
Authorization and Rules of Engagement
According to Joint Task Force–National Capital Region, the troops have been instructed to use force only as a last resort. Strict rules of engagement emphasize de-escalation, but commanders said the authorization was necessary to ensure troop safety and operational readiness.
“Arming soldiers is not a decision we take lightly,” one Pentagon official told reporters. “But given the current environment, it was determined appropriate to ensure that Guard personnel can defend themselves and the public if necessary.”
Trump’s Crime Crackdown
The move follows Trump’s federal takeover of Washington’s police force earlier this month, which he credited with reducing violent crime. He has since signaled he may extend similar actions to cities such as Chicago and New York.
While Trump has touted a week without homicides in Washington as evidence of success, local officials dispute the president’s framing, noting that such crime lulls have occurred before. The Metropolitan Police Department remains under federal control until at least mid-September, unless Congress intervenes.
Pushback From Local Leaders
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser criticized the decision, arguing that arming troops could escalate confrontations rather than calm them. “The militarization of our streets undermines trust between residents and law enforcement,” she said in a statement.
Civil rights groups also raised alarms, pointing to past incidents in which military deployments during protests led to heightened tensions. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) called the decision “a dangerous overreach with little evidence it will improve safety.”
Historical Precedent
While National Guard troops are frequently deployed for emergencies such as natural disasters, they are rarely armed during domestic operations. Exceptions have occurred, including during the 1992 Los Angeles riots and after the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, when Guard members were equipped with weapons.
Legal experts note that arming troops in peacetime cities raises constitutional concerns about federal overreach under the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the military’s role in domestic law enforcement. However, the act does not apply to the National Guard when operating under state or presidential authority.
Outlook
The authorization is likely to intensify political clashes in Congress, where Democrats are pressing for hearings on Trump’s crime policies. Meanwhile, Guard leaders have sought to reassure residents that troops are trained for restraint and will remain focused on supporting local police.
As one officer put it: “Our mission is not to occupy the city. It’s to keep people safe.”