National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., have been instructed to prepare for the possibility of carrying weapons in the nation’s capital, despite earlier assurances from officials that they would remain unarmed, according to a Saturday report by The Wall Street Journal.
When asked for comment, the D.C. Army National Guard told Newsweek that “Guard members may be armed consistent with their mission and training.”
The Pentagon referred Newsweek to the Washington Guard for further questions. Meanwhile, the office of D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said it had no comment at this time.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump ordered 800 National Guard troops to deploy to Washington, with the first arrivals on Tuesday. The move is aimed at addressing crime in the city, even as data shows crime rates at a 30-year low. Critics argue it represents one of the most aggressive federal interventions in local policing in decades.
The order has sparked backlash because it bypassed D.C.’s elected leaders, who described Trump’s directive as “unsettling,” “unprecedented,” and “dangerous.”
City officials have filed suit to block the administration from taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). In response, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo affirming that the current police chief will remain in charge but directed the MPD to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, according to the Associated Press.
What to Know
Officials had previously stated the National Guard would not be armed, and those already patrolling the city have done so without weapons.
However, the Journal reported that troops were told Friday evening to prepare for an order to carry weapons. As of Saturday afternoon, no official order had been issued.
A White House official told the Journal that more troops may be called to D.C., and some could be armed, but emphasized they would not be making arrests.
The Army underscored the same point in a Thursday press release, saying troops were deployed to provide “a visible presence in key public areas, serving as a visible crime deterrent.”
“They will not arrest, search, or direct law enforcement,” the Army wrote. “While they will not conduct arrests, they have the authority to temporarily detain individuals to prevent imminent harm, ensuring that custody is promptly transferred to law enforcement authorities.”
The Army also said troops were issued protective gear, including body armor, and that weapons would remain in the armory unless circumstances changed. Future needs, the Army added, would be reassessed as situations evolve.
The shifting stance has heightened tensions between federal officials and D.C. leaders.
Bondi, in her Friday notice, criticized local resistance: “Unfortunately, the D.C. Attorney General continues to oppose our efforts to improve public safety in Washington, D.C.,” she wrote, contrasting that stance with Mayor Bowser’s commitment to public safety.
What People Are Saying
A White House official told Newsweek: “The National Guard is not making arrests at this time – they may be armed, consistent with their mission and training, to protect federal assets, provide a safe environment for law enforcement officers to make arrests, and deter violent crime with a visible law enforcement presence.”
Captain Tinashe T. Machona, spokesperson for the D.C. Army National Guard, added: “Guard members may be armed consistent with their mission and training. Their presence is focused on supporting civil authorities and ensuring the safety of the community they serve. The D.C. National Guard remains committed to assisting the District of Columbia and serving its residents and visitors whenever called upon.”
Attorney General Pamela Bondi also posted Friday on X: “I have just issued a new directive to Mayor Bowser requiring MPD to provide the services found necessary by my designee, DEA Administrator Terry Cole, to comply fully and completely with federal immigration law and authorities, regardless of any policies MPD might otherwise have.”
She continued: “Unfortunately, the D.C. Attorney General continues to oppose our efforts to improve public safety in Washington, DC. It is important to note that this same D.C. Attorney General is responsible for failing to enforce consequences for dangerous juvenile offenders. We remain committed to working closely with Mayor Bowser, who is dedicated to ensuring the safety of residents, workers, and visitors in Washington, D.C.”
In an open letter to residents this week, Mayor Bowser said:
“Over the course of a week, the surge in federal law enforcement across D.C. has created waves of anxiety. I was born one year after Home Rule became law, and while our autonomy has been challenged before, our limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now. My jobs are many right now. Part of my job is just managing us through this crisis and making sure that our government continues to operate in a way that makes D.C. residents proud.”
She also noted that after a day in court, Pamela Smith remains Chief of Police, maintaining command of the city’s 3,100 officers: “I am incredibly proud of how the chief has handled this experience.”
Bowser concluded: “I know that if we keep sticking together, we will make it to the other side of this, we will make future generations of Washingtonians proud, we will show the entire nation what it looks like to fight for American democracy—even when we don’t have full access to it.”
