National Guard Troops Spotted Picking Up Trash Near White House with Reflective Vests over Camo Uniforms

After being summoned by President Donald Trump to assist local law enforcement in Washington, D.C., National Guard troops have instead been seen picking up trash around the nation’s capital.

On Tuesday, Aug. 26, Fox 5 DC’s Allison Papson posted a video showing service members in reflective orange vests over their camouflage uniforms slowly moving through Lafayette Park, stopping occasionally to collect garbage.

According to The Washington Post, more than 2,200 troops — some from as far away as Louisiana and Mississippi — have been deployed since Trump declared a “public safety emergency” on Aug. 11. The move included federalizing the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, placing Attorney General Pam Bondi in charge, and bringing in the National Guard to combat crime and homelessness.

In recent days, however, Guard members have also been tasked with cleaning duties such as trash pickup, groundskeeping, and graffiti removal. Joint Task Force–D.C. told the Post that troops are working on more than 40 “beautification projects” coordinated with local and federal agencies.

“I think it’s nice, as a D.C. resident,” one Guard member told the outlet. “But there are different things we could be doing.”

These responsibilities typically fall under the National Park Service, which was downsized earlier this year by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. The workforce maintaining D.C.’s trees, gardens, and other spaces was cut from 200 employees to just 20.

“It’s everybody — the masons, the maintenance workers, the groundskeepers, the plumbers. Every shop is short,” a Park Service official told the Post.

While it’s not unusual for Guard troops to handle cleanup after natural disasters, it is unusual to see them collecting trash in broad daylight, steps away from the White House.

As Trump signals plans to expand his D.C. crime initiative to other cities like Chicago and New York, concerns have grown over the readiness of Guard troops. Many are part-time service members with full-time civilian jobs and families, who typically serve one weekend a month and two full weeks per year.

“Supplying troops to more major cities to enact Trump’s plans could affect training time in addition to disrupting the lives of the volunteer servicemen and women,” Master Sgt. David Bowden told the Post.

Trump and his allies have also emphasized large-scale renovation and beautification projects in D.C., including a new White House ballroom and a proposed Kennedy Center renovation. The timing coincides with preparations for major upcoming events, including the United States’ 250th anniversary celebrations and the 2026 FIFA World Cup co-hosted with Mexico and Canada.

While Washington, D.C. is not a host city, Trump recently announced the capital will hold the World Cup draw in December at the Kennedy Center.