National Guard Deployment in D.C. Grows as Six States Send Troops

Over 2,000 National Guard troops have been mobilized to assist federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C., as President Donald Trump intensifies his approach to what he has characterized as increasing crime in the capital.

On Monday, the Joint Task Force–District of Columbia (JTF-DC) announced that a total of 2,091 service members from the D.C. National Guard and six states have been deployed. The operation encompasses safeguarding landmarks, ensuring the security of federal sites, managing traffic flow, and supporting local safety patrols.

Since last week, 896 soldiers and airmen from the D.C. Guard have been deployed. More troops are being deployed from Ohio, South Carolina, West Virginia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee under Title 32 authority, maintaining state command while securing federal funding. The D.C. National Guard functions under federal oversight because of the city's distinct position.

West Virginia was the first to declare its intention to dispatch 350 members over the weekend. South Carolina committed 200, Ohio 150, and by Monday, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee contributed 135, 200, and 160 troops respectively. Officials indicated that the deployments were made in response to requests from the federal government and would not affect the readiness of hurricane response teams.

“These orders are mandatory,” stated Maj. Karla Evans, spokesperson for the South Carolina National Guard. “We selected personnel according to their availability and made sure that those assigned are not included in our immediate response team for the hurricane.” It is crucial to emphasize the high spirits of our troops — they are well-prepared and poised to respond when needed.

A spokesperson for JTF-DC announced that Guard personnel are currently active in specific locations, such as the D.C. Armory, the National Mall, and Union Station. “Following the guidance of the President and Secretary of Defense, over 800 personnel from the D.C. National Guard have been deployed to assist the Metropolitan Police Department and our federal law enforcement partners,” the statement indicated.

The deployment of the Guard follows Trump's directive to send hundreds more federal agents from various agencies, including the FBI, DEA, and Customs and Border Protection, into the city. The President has consistently characterized crime in Washington as “rampant,” despite Justice Department data indicating that overall crime rates are at a near 30-year low.

The newly deployed forces are anticipated to stay in the city at least until midweek, with additional reinforcements potentially on the way.

‍