National Guard Expands Role in D.C. With Military Vehicles
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth authorizes National Guard to use military vehicles in D.C. amid ongoing security mission.
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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has authorized National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., to use boats, marked police cars, and military vehicles to support law enforcement operations in the nation’s capital. The decision was announced in a memo obtained by POLITICO and confirmed by the Pentagon. While the exact reason for the expansion remains unclear, the document reiterates President Donald Trump’s mission to address a ‘crime emergency’ in the capital, first declared in August 2025.
Expanded Security Measures
The additional security presence will remain in place through the end of the year, with National Guard members deployed through city streets in vehicles typically reserved for combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. However, they are not authorized to pursue suspects or make arrests. The memo also highlights the use of boats for ‘perimeter security’ while police target suspected gang leaders and drug traffickers in Anacostia, the city’s southeastern neighborhood.
Impact and Concerns
An October Cato Institute report noted that while robberies and thefts declined in D.C. following the Guard’s deployment, homicides remained unchanged and assaults with dangerous weapons saw a slight increase. President Trump initially deployed National Guard troops in August 2025, and after multiple extensions, the mission is now set to continue through Inauguration Day 2029.
Political Context
The expansion of the National Guard’s role in D.C. has drawn attention as Democrats push for the withdrawal of troops, citing concerns over the use of military resources for law enforcement. The move underscores the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the Democratic-led Congress, particularly regarding public safety and the role of the National Guard in domestic operations.
Source: OANN
