Politics

Trump’s DC Crime Crackdown: How Armed National Guard Troops Are Shifting the Capital’s Security Landscape

August 25, 2025, 10:20 AM

A close-up, high-angle view of an armed National Guard soldier in a camouflage uniform, with a handgun holstered on their right hip.

A close-up view of an armed National Guard soldier's uniform and gear while on duty in a Washington D.C. street. By Miami Daily Life / MiamiDaily.Life.

Executive Summary

National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., began carrying sidearms on Sunday, following a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

This action is part of President Donald Trump’s intensified anti-crime initiative for the capital, which also includes a federal takeover of the city’s police department.

Over 1,900 additional National Guard troops from several states have reinforced the D.C. Guard, with a CNN analysis showing a moderate decrease in reported crime and a substantial increase in immigrant arrests after the administration assumed control of the police department.

The Story So Far

The arming of National Guard members in Washington, D.C., is a direct result of President Trump’s broader anti-crime initiative for the nation’s capital, which he has championed due to consistent concerns about crime rates. This significant policy shift, allowing Guard personnel to carry sidearms, follows a directive from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, overturning previous guidance, and is supported by the deployment of over 1,900 additional troops from various states.

Why This Matters

The arming of National Guard members in Washington, D.C., under President Trump’s anti-crime initiative, marks a significant escalation of federal power and military involvement in civilian law enforcement, potentially raising concerns about civil liberties and the appropriate use of military personnel in domestic policing roles, especially given the concurrent federal takeover of the city’s police department and an increase in immigrant arrests.

Who Thinks What?

President Trump and his administration view the arming of National Guard personnel and increased federal oversight as essential steps to address what they perceive as rising crime rates in Washington, D.C.

Official statistics indicate that overall crime numbers in Washington, D.C., are lower this year compared to 2024, presenting a different picture than the administration’s stated concerns about crime.

Members of the U.S. National Guard deployed to Washington, D.C., began carrying their sidearms on Sunday, a significant development confirmed by a spokesperson for the Joint Task Force overseeing the mission. This action follows a directive issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, which authorized National Guard personnel to be armed as part of President Donald Trump’s broader anti-crime initiative for the nation’s capital. The directive represents a notable change in guidance from the Pentagon, which had previously indicated that Guard members would be armed only if specific circumstances warranted it.

Context of the Deployment

The authorization for Guard members to carry weapons is part of an intensified effort by President Trump to address crime in Washington, D.C. For several weeks, Trump has advocated for a crackdown, which has also involved a federal takeover of the city’s police department and an increased presence of federal law enforcement. A CNN reporter observed two Guard members carrying long guns in The Wharf area on Sunday evening.

President Trump has consistently voiced concerns about rising crime rates in D.C. However, official statistics indicate that overall crime numbers in the city are lower this year compared to 2024.

Reinforcements and Initial Impact

To bolster the D.C. National Guard, more than 1,900 troops from the National Guards of West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Louisiana, and Tennessee were called upon. These troops, primarily from Republican-led states, started arriving in the capital last week.

Following the Trump administration’s assumption of control over the Metropolitan Police Department, a CNN analysis of government data revealed a moderate decrease in reported crime during the week beginning August 12. Concurrently, the same period saw a substantial increase in the arrests of immigrants.

The arming of National Guard troops marks a new phase in the administration’s efforts to combat crime in Washington, D.C. This move is integrated into President Trump’s wider strategy, which includes enhanced federal oversight and a significant deployment of personnel from multiple states.