Washington, D.C( The COW News Digital)Armed units of the U.S. National Guard are set to patrol the streets of Washington, D.C., starting Sunday night, in a move authorized by President Donald Trump as part of his administration’s intensified crackdown on urban crime.
According to officials, Guard members will be equipped with M17 pistols or M4 rifles while on duty. However, no specific figures were provided on how many soldiers will be armed during these patrols.
For the past two weeks, hundreds of unarmed National Guard troops have been deployed across the capital, following President Trump’s declaration of a “crime emergency” in Washington, D.C. The new directive marks a sharp escalation, signaling that armed enforcement will now supplement existing security measures.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved the authorization last week, allowing Guard troops to carry firearms during their missions. In a written statement, the Joint Task Force–DC clarified that service members will use force only as a last resort, and solely in cases of imminent threat to life or severe bodily harm.
The decision has sparked fresh political debate, particularly as President Trump hinted at extending the operation beyond Washington. “We are considering expanding this crackdown to Chicago as well,” Trump said, referencing the Democrat-led city that has long struggled with violent crime rates.
Democratic leaders, however, criticized the move as an overreach of presidential power. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries argued that Trump lacks the authority to deploy armed federal forces to Chicago without local consent. “The Pentagon may be doing early planning, but this is not a decision the President can unilaterally make,” Jeffries stated.
Critics warn that arming troops within U.S. cities risks militarizing public safety and may lead to clashes with residents. Civil rights advocates have also raised concerns that armed patrols could escalate rather than de-escalate violence.
Supporters of the move, however, argue that decisive action is necessary to stem rising urban crime and restore public safety. Trump’s allies claim the deployment demonstrates strong leadership and a willingness to take action where Democratic mayors have failed.
As Washington prepares for its first night of armed patrols, the development is likely to test both public reaction and the limits of federal authority in domestic security operations.
