Washington DC National Guard Authorized to Carry Weapons Amid Trump's Crime Crackdown

The US National Guard in Washington DC has been authorized to carry weapons as part of President Trump's crime crackdown initiative. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the move, with Guard members now armed with M17 pistols or M4 rifles while patrolling the streets.

The exact number of armed personnel is fluid. This escalation in federal law enforcement presence has drawn criticism from Democratic leaders.

The Guard emphasized using force as a last resort in response to imminent threats. The move comes amid discussions of expanding similar deployments to cities like Chicago and Baltimore, raising questions about legality and necessity.