National Guard members patrolling the US capital as part of President Donald Trump’s policing plan may soon be carrying weapons, a Guard spokesperson confirmed on Sunday.
Army Senior Master Sgt Craig Clapper was quoted by NPR as saying that “Guard members may be armed consistent with their mission and training.”
He stressed their role was “focused on supporting civil authorities and ensuring the safety of the community they serve,” adding that the Guard “remains committed to assisting the District of Columbia and serving its residents and visitors whenever called upon.”
Just days earlier, the Army had said Guard personnel would not carry weapons in public and would not be making arrests. At that point, officials insisted their weapons would remain in the armoury, to be used only if needed, and that deployed troops would instead act as a “visible crime deterrent” while equipped with protective gear such as body armour.
Trump federalises policing in Washington
The deployment follows President Trump’s announcement earlier this month that the federal government would assume control of the Metropolitan Police Department and flood Washington with hundreds of federal law enforcement officers and National Guard members.
According to the news agency AP, about 800 DC Guard members have already been activated.
On Saturday, Republican governors from West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio pledged to send additional reinforcements, between 150 and 400 troops each, to strengthen the federal presence.
“West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital,” Governor Patrick Morrisey said, as per AP.
Trump has defended the takeover, claiming the city has been “overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged out maniacs and homeless people.”
However, official data shows violent crime in Washington has actually fallen by 26% compared with last year.
Protests and pushback
The move has triggered strong opposition from residents, local officials and activists, who say the federal intervention represents an overreach of power.
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser warned on Friday that the city’s “limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now.”
On Saturday, hundreds marched from Dupont Circle to the White House, chanting against what they described as a “military occupation.” Protesters held banners reading “No fascist takeover of DC.”
Jamie Dickstein, a 24-year-old teacher, was cited by AP as saying that she was “very uncomfortable and worried” for her students’ safety with “unmarked officers of all types” detaining people. John Finnigan, a local resident for nearly three decades, called Trump’s actions “ridiculous” given crime levels are falling.
At the Asbury United Methodist Church on Sunday, Rev Ronald Bell Jr used his sermon to call on Black leaders to guide the community through the moment peacefully. Bell, who previously served in Minnesota during the unrest after George Floyd’s killing, said, “I think we have learned lessons from the past. I think we are well equipped to handle this moment.”
Concerns over law enforcement role
Some experts have also raised alarms about the National Guard taking on quasi-policing duties. Rosa Brooks, a Georgetown Law professor and former reserve officer with the Metropolitan Police Department, was quoted by NPR as saying, “I think what we’re seeing is the effort to habituate people to the idea that you’re going to have armed federal personnel in your business, asking questions, stopping you, and that’s just truly scary.”
The Posse Comitatus Act restricts the use of federal armed forces in civilian law enforcement, unless specifically authorised by Congress. But Guard troops, who operate under state control unless federalised, have sometimes been deployed to cities with weapons, most recently to patrol the New York City transit system.
White House claims success
Despite criticism, the White House insists Trump’s crackdown is working. Officials said that since 7 August, 308 people had been arrested in Washington, including 135 immigrants living in the US illegally. They added that 53 firearms had been seized.
“President Trump’s bold leadership is quickly making our nation’s capital safer,” spokeswoman Taylor Rogers said on Sunday.
“In less than ten days, over 300 dangerous criminals have already been arrested and taken off the streets of Washington, DC President Trump is delivering on his campaign promise to clean up this city and restore American greatness to our cherished capital”, Rogers added.
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