The White House said 45 people were arrested in Washington last night, including 29 who are in the country illegally.
After President Donald Trump ordered a federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police department, the Pentagon confirmed on Thursday that all 800 National Guard troops he called in are now fully deployed.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson said the Army and Air National Guard members are part of Joint Task Force D.C. They will work with the Metropolitan Police and other federal agencies to guard monuments, keep communities safe, protect federal buildings, and help with traffic control.
The Guard will stay in the city “until law and order has been restored in the District, as determined by the president,” Wilson said.
The deployment comes after Trump vowed on Monday to “take our capital back.” Supporters say it’s needed for public safety, while critics point out that violent crime in Washington has actually gone down in the past year after a spike during the pandemic.
This is the first time since 1965 that a U.S. president has sent in the National Guard against the wishes of a state governor. In D.C., the Guard already reports directly to the president, so no extra steps were needed to place them under federal control.
In total, more than 1,650 people are now part of the law enforcement effort. While National Guard members can help detain suspects, they do not have the legal authority to make arrests, Wilson said.
