Defense Secretary Hegseth authorizes National Guard troops to carry arms in DC

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: ABC News

August 22, 2025, 8:58 AM


Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed an order authorizing National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C. to carry weapons if their mission requires it, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The new authority is expected to be acted on in coming days, the person said.

Hegseth's decision paves the way for the nearly 2,000 troops now mobilized in Washington, D.C., to expand their operations significantly, including possible security patrols in neighborhoods that struggle with crime.

In a visit to Guard personnel on Thursday, President Donald Trump suggested the military personnel would be playing a larger role in law enforcement in the city. "You got to be strong, you got to be tough," Trump told Guard personnel at the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility. "You got to do your job. Whatever it takes to do your job."

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/defense-secretary-hegseth-authorizes-2k-national-guard-troops/story?id=124876085

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REFERENCE - https://www.democraticunderground.com/10143514036

[D. Spaulding]

1. They are not trained for a law enforcement mission, and even in DC

I'm not sure they're authorized to do so. This doesn't bode well. It's a needless escalation.

[Bayard]

2. Why do they need to be armed?

This is not going to end well.

[travelingthrulife]

14. they don't need to be there at all. Completely made up emergency.

[republianmushroom]

4. What could go wrong ?

Are they going to have live ammo also ?

[edhopper]

5. Tin Soldiers

and Trump coming.

[llmart]

6. Kent State redux

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

12. Much, much worse.

[FloridaBlues]

7. This will not end well. They do this in DC and coming to cities everywhere. Just a matter of time.

Giving people time to get use to seeing this personal militia.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

8. His boss wants blood

[Miguelito Loveless]

9. Slowly turning up the pressure

until he gets the violent confrontation he desperately wants

[TheFourthMind]

10. "Now you wanna run around talkin' 'bout guns like I ain't got none." n/t

[popsdenver]

11. Most interesting

is the hand gun they are being issued is probably THE absolute worst SIGG model firearm they make......

[travelingthrulife]

13. What is the damned emergency???

[womanofthehills]

15. He's trying to portray himself as the tough guy

Like some South American dictator.

It’s creepy in some Mexican resorts seeing armed military walking around.