• About
  • Contact
Saturday, August 16, 2025
The US Inquirer
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • Home
  • National
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Crime
  • World
PRICING
SUBSCRIBE
  • Home
  • National
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Crime
  • World
No Result
View All Result
The US Inquirer
No Result
View All Result
Home Politics

White House says National Guard members deployed to D.C. “may be armed”

by Emma Nicholson
August 16, 2025
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
White House says National Guard members deployed to D.C. “may be armed”

A White House official told CBS News Saturday that the National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., as part of President Trump’s effort to address crime in the nation’s capital and take control of the city’s police force “may be armed,” but that Guard members would not make arrests.

“The National Guard is not making arrests at this time – they may be armed, consistent with their mission and training, to protect federal assets, provide a safe environment for law enforcement officers to make arrests, and deter violent crime with a visible law enforcement presence,” the official said. 

The Wall Street Journal was first to report Saturday that National Guard soldiers in D.C. are prepared to start carrying weapons in the coming days — a shift from previous guidance.

In a statement provided Saturday to CBS News Saturday, a National Guard spokesperson reiterated that deployed Guard members “may be armed consistent with their mission and training,” adding that “their presence is focused on supporting civil authorities and ensuring the safety of the community they serve.”

Trump Increases Federal Law Enforcement Presence, Deploys National Guard In Nation's Capital

Members of the D.C. National Guard position their Oshkosh M-ATV vehicles as they arrive at Union Station on Aug. 15, 2025, in Washington, D.C. 

Getty Images


RELATED POSTS

West Virginia to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to D.C.

USCIS to more heavily scrutinize “good moral character” citizenship requirement

A Defense Department official told CBS News Thursday that the deployed National Guard members would not be armed at the request of law enforcement partners. The official also said they would not have weapons in their vehicles.

“They are equipped with personal protective equipment to include body armor; weapons are available if needed but will remain in the armory,” the U.S. Army said in a statement earlier this week. 

The Army also said in its statement the Guard would not conduct arrests. 

The president deployed the National Guard to D.C. on Monday. Citing violent crime and homelessness, Mr. Trump declared a public safety emergency and placed the city’s Metropolitan Police Department under federal control. The president also deployed 800 National Guard members to the city.

“I’m deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law, order, and public safety in Washington, DC, and they’re going to be allowed to do their job properly,” the president said during a news conference on Monday.

On Saturday, the Republican governors of West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio announced they would be deploying several hundred of their state’s National Guard members to D.C. as well at the request of the Trump administration, according to the Associated Press. 

Violent crime in D.C. hit its lowest level in more than 30 years in 2024, according to the Justice Department. Some D.C. residents are now protesting against the increased law enforcement presence. 

In a social media post Saturday, FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson said federal authorities have made 166 arrests in D.C. in the week since Mr. Trump declared a public safety emergency. 

More from CBS News

Share6Tweet4Share1

Emma Nicholson

Related Posts

West Virginia to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to D.C.
Politics

West Virginia to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to D.C.

August 16, 2025
USCIS to more heavily scrutinize “good moral character” citizenship requirement
Politics

USCIS to more heavily scrutinize “good moral character” citizenship requirement

August 16, 2025
Democrats unveil maps of California’s redistricting proposal
Politics

Democrats unveil maps of California’s redistricting proposal

August 15, 2025
Here’s the transcript of what Putin and Trump said in Alaska
Politics

Here’s the transcript of what Putin and Trump said in Alaska

August 15, 2025
Everything we know about the high-stakes summit between Trump and Putin
Politics

Everything we know about the high-stakes summit between Trump and Putin

August 15, 2025
Clinton says Trump should get Peace Prize if he ends Ukraine war without concessions
Politics

Clinton says Trump should get Peace Prize if he ends Ukraine war without concessions

August 15, 2025

Recommended Stories

U.S. Department of Justice sues NYC over sanctuary city laws

U.S. Department of Justice sues NYC over sanctuary city laws

July 24, 2025
Top tech companies to work with Trump admin. on health care data access

Top tech companies to work with Trump admin. on health care data access

July 29, 2025
Wisconsin’s Gov. Tony Evers says he won’t seek third term

Wisconsin’s Gov. Tony Evers says he won’t seek third term

July 24, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Dean Cain says he will be “sworn in as an ICE agent ASAP”

    Dean Cain says he will be “sworn in as an ICE agent ASAP”

    15 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • Local music executive-turned-celebrity making waves on Twitch as “insyde”

    16 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • European leaders rally behind Ukraine ahead of Trump-Putin summit

    15 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
  • ‘How Did We Catch It?’ Spread Of COVID Baffles Locked-down Shanghai Residents

    17 shares
    Share 7 Tweet 4
  • Vero Beach Club Pro Ben Cook earns low professional score at PGA Championship

    15 shares
    Share 6 Tweet 4
The US Inquirer

© 2023 The US Inquirer

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Ethics
  • Fact Checking and Corrections Policies
  • Copyright
  • Privacy Policy
  • ISSN: 2832-0522

Follow Us

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • National
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Crime
  • World

© 2023 The US Inquirer

Are you sure want to unlock this post?
Unlock left : 0
Are you sure want to cancel subscription?