Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has approved arming nearly 2,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen in Washington, D.C., if their mission requires it, a U.S. official confirmed to FOX News.
“At the direction of the secretary of defense, JTF-DC members supporting the mission to lower the crime rate in our nation’s capital will soon be on mission with their service-issued weapons, consistent with their mission and training,” a U.S. defense official told FOX News.
“The Interim Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard retains the authority to make any necessary force posture adjustments in coordination with the D.C. Metropolitan Police and Federal law enforcement partners. The D.C. National Guard remains committed to safeguarding the District of Columbia and serving those who live, work, and visit the District,” the official added.
Troops could begin carrying weapons in the coming days, though they will not have the authority to make arrests. They will, however, remain authorized to temporarily detain individuals if necessary, before handing them over to law enforcement as soon as possible.
On Thursday, President Donald Trump met with law enforcement and National Guard personnel on the front lines of the city’s crime crackdown. During the meeting, he highlighted the public support he has received, telling officers it was “a great tribute to you.”
“We want to make this absolutely perfect. It’s our capital. And I guess it used to be many years ago, safe, but it’s certainly not had a very good run. And you got to be strong. You got to be tough. You got to do your job. Whatever it takes to do your job, you got to do your job,” Trump said.
The same day, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) confirmed to Fox News Digital that the city had gone over a week without a homicide, a milestone coinciding with the heightened law enforcement presence.
MPD also released its 2025 Year-to-Date Crime Comparison on Friday, showing violent crime in the city has dropped by 27% since 2024, including a 12% decline in homicides. Overall, the city experienced an 8% decrease in crime over the past year, according to the report.
