Pete Hegseth Now Arms the National Guard Troops in D.C. • FrankNez Media

On August 22, 2025, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered nearly 2,000 National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C., to carry service-issued firearms as part of President Donald Trump’s “Safe and Beautiful Task Force” to combat crime, homelessness, and illegal immigration.

The escalation, reported by The Daily Beast, follows Trump’s August 11 executive order federalizing the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and deploying 800 Army and Air National Guard troops, with hundreds more arriving from Republican-led states like South Carolina and Ohio.

The decision to arm troops, despite their primary role in patrolling landmarks and assisting with crowd control, has sparked fierce debate, with critics warning of a “recipe for disaster” and supporters praising a tough stance on crime, amid ongoing legal challenges over the use of military in domestic policing.

Details of the National Guard Deployment

Hegseth’s order, announced by the Pentagon on August 22, 2025, authorizes members of Joint Task Force-D.C., including D.C. National Guard and troops from six states, to carry firearms “consistent with their mission and training.”

The move reverses earlier Pentagon statements from August 11 and 15, 2025, indicating troops would not carry guns but would have them nearby, per Anchorage Daily News.

No specific reason for the change was provided, though a White House official stated the arming aims to “protect federal assets, provide a safe environment for law enforcement, and deter violent crime,” per Anchorage Daily News.

The deployment began after Trump cited a “crime emergency” following the carjacking and assault of 19-year-old former DOGE staffer Edward Coristine in Logan Circle by two 15-year-olds.

As of August 22, nearly 2,000 troops were stationed in D.C., with 350 additional members from South Carolina and Ohio arriving that week, per Scripps News.

Troops have been observed patrolling national monuments like the Lincoln Memorial, assisting local police with crowd control, and even engaging in light activities like feeding squirrels and taking selfies, raising questions about the necessity of firearms.

A high-profile incident saw armed troops storm the apartment of Sean Charles Dunn for throwing a Subway sandwich at a federal marshal, with the White House posting a dramatic arrest video on X on August 14, 2025.

Legal and Political Controversies

The arming of National Guard troops has intensified scrutiny of Trump’s D.C. crackdown, which includes federalizing the city’s police under Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act of 1973, per Scripps News.

Critics argue the deployment violates the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878, which prohibits military involvement in civilian law enforcement, a concern echoed in a California lawsuit over a similar National Guard deployment in Los Angeles, according to a NewsBreak report.

During an August 11 press conference, Hegseth’s remarks about troops “standing with law enforcement partners” in D.C. and Los Angeles were admitted as evidence in the L.A. trial, with the judge noting their relevance despite Trump administration objections.

Alex Wagner, a former Army and Air Force official, called arming the Guard a “recipe for disaster,” arguing most troops lack law enforcement training and are in a “no-win situation,” per WSLS.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, while avoiding direct condemnation, expressed concern about losing city control, stating, “I’m gonna work every day to make sure it’s not a complete disaster.”

Protesters have marched to the White House, decrying a “fascist takeover,” with one resident, a Holocaust survivor’s son, comparing the deployment to authoritarian tactics.

Public and MAGA Reactions

The decision has polarized public sentiment.

On X, MAGA supporters like @GuntherEagleman praised Hegseth, posting on August 11, 2025, “They will be STRONG. They will be TOUGH. They will STAND with the people of DC.”

Conversely, critics like @TheJenniWren labeled it a “fascist show of force,” warning that arming 2,000 troops on the National Mall resembles dictatorial tactics.

@highbrow_nobrow noted the move breaks 150 years of precedent, raising fears of militarized civic life.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host and National Guard veteran, defended the deployment during an August 20 visit to the D.C. Armory, referencing his 2020 service during George Floyd protests and urging troops to succeed under national scrutiny.

Trump, who threw a pizza party for troops on August 21, suggested extending the deployment beyond 30 days.

What This Means for The Trump’s Administration

Politic News Today- Trump Now Threatens Federal Takeover of D.C. Amid Declining Crime

The arming of National Guard troops escalates Trump’s controversial domestic agenda, which includes mass deportation plans outlined in a leaked memo by Hegseth’s brother, Phil, a DHS adviser.

With Trump’s approval rating at 39% per an ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos poll, the crackdown risks alienating moderates while energizing his base, according to Newsweek.

Legal challenges, like the California case, and local resistance from D.C. officials could limit the deployment’s scope, while economic pressures from tariffs and retail struggles, like Target’s sales slump, add broader context to public unrest.

The lack of clarity on how long troops will remain armed or in D.C., coupled with Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard II’s authority to adjust force posture, raises concerns about escalation.

As the 2026 midterms loom, the administration’s militarized approach could shape voter sentiment and test its legal boundaries.

But I’m curious to know what you think, leave your thoughts and vote reaction below.

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