Armed National Guard DC: Troops Carry Weapons Amid Trump Crackdown

_{Armed National Guard DC: Troops Carry Weapons Amid Trump Crackdown}

Discover the latest updates on armed National Guard DC deployment in Washington. President Trump’s decision arms troops as crime falls, raising global concerns from Asia to Europe. Stay informed on this key US event.

By AMERICA NEWS WORLD (ANW) Staff | August 25, 2025

Armed National Guard DC forces hit the streets of Washington this weekend. President Donald Trump ordered the move. Troops now carry guns while on patrol. This change started late Saturday night. It comes after Trump sent thousands of soldiers to the city. He says it’s to fight crime. But data shows crime is down. Many people wonder why this is happening now.

First, let’s look at the facts. The Joint Task Force-DC made the announcement. They said service members began carrying their service-issued weapons. These include M17 pistols or M4 rifles. However, troops can only use force as a last resort. That’s if there’s an imminent threat of death or serious harm. Unnamed officials told Reuters about the weapons. Nearly 2,300 troops from six states are in DC. They march in neighborhoods like Scott Circle.

Trump posted on Truth Social. He claimed, “NO CRIME AND NO MURDER IN DC!” He said this one week after deploying troops. Moreover, he hinted at sending forces to Baltimore. He called it “out of control” and “crime-ridden.” But Baltimore police report less gun violence. They had a double-digit drop in July. The city has 84 homicides this year. That’s the fewest in over 50 years, according to Mayor Brandon Scott.

In DC, crime stats tell a different story. Violent crime fell 35% in 2024 from 2023. It’s at a 30-year low, per the Department of Justice. For 2025, homicides are down 12%. Assaults with dangerous weapons dropped 20%. Overall violent crime is lower by 26% this year. Trump says the city is in a crime wave. Yet official data disagrees. For example, the Metropolitan Police Department shares daily crime reports. They show a steady decline.

Here’s a simple table of DC crime data for clarity:

This table uses data from MPDC and DOJ. It works on mobile and computer screens. You can see the drop clearly. Highlight: Violent crime hit a low not seen in decades. But Trump pushes for more control.

Protests have started. People hold signs like “Free DC.” They rally on U-Street. Residents feel fear and confusion. One local said, “Why troops now? Crime is down.” Others worry about rights. The National Guard is a reserve force. They help in emergencies or overseas. Now, they patrol city streets. This mix of military and police raises questions.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker spoke out. He rejected Trump’s idea for Chicago. “Trump is trying to make a crisis,” Pritzker said. “He’s politicizing our troops.” Chicago’s mayor also fights back. She’s looking at legal ways to stop soldiers. Trump targets Democrat-led cities. Like DC, Baltimore, and Chicago. He says they’re disasters. However, stats show improvements.

Why this deployment? Trump declared a public safety emergency on August 11. He sent 800 DC National Guard first. Then, Republican governors added more. From states like West Virginia, Ohio, South Carolina. Total forces hit thousands. Plus federal agents. Trump uses the DC Home Rule Act. It lets him control police for up to 30 days. Since DC isn’t a state, he has this power.

People protest against Trump’s use of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in the city during a rally along the U-Street corridor in northwest Washington, DC, on Saturday [Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo]

Critics call it a distraction. From issues like the Epstein case or tariffs. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said it’s a “political ploy.” Mayor Muriel Bowser questions it too. She said more funding for prosecutors would help more. “Our laws and tactics got offenders off streets,” Bowser noted. She points to post-COVID spikes that fell fast.

Global views matter too. In Asia, people watch closely. China and India see it as US internal chaos. It affects trade ties. Africa follows for democracy lessons. North America debates borders and security. South America links it to migration. Even Europe worries about alliances. Australia sees impacts on tourism. Antarctica? Well, scientists there read news too. This story draws eyes from all continents. Young readers, teens to 20s, ask on Reddit: “Is this like martial law?” Older folks on Quora wonder about history. All ages want clear answers.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backs the move. He said troops flow in weekly. They help with crowd control and security. Not all carry rifles openly. Some keep them in trucks. For self-defense only. A senior Army official confirmed shifts of 100-200 troops at a time.

Residents mix reactions. Some feel safer. “Crime was bad before,” one said. Others fear overreach. “Troops in tourist spots? It’s a show,” another added. The National Mall sees guards near monuments. Safe areas get patrols too. Why? Critics say it’s for looks.

Trump visited guards. He brought pizza on August 21. He praised their work. “Strong and tough,” he called them. But morale questions arise. From past deployments, troops felt troubled. Like in LA earlier this year. Marines there said morale was low. They questioned the mission.

Data supports crime drop. FBI shows 9% less crime in DC last year. Experts like Jeff Asher analyze trends. Murder plunged but overall violence fell too. Graph highlight: Imagine a line chart. X-axis years 2020-2025. Y-axis crime rates. Steep rise in 2023. Sharp drop after. Colors: Red for high, green for low. Mobile view: Scroll horizontal. Computer: Full screen.

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Trump eyes more cities. Chicago next? New York too? He threatened Baltimore over an invite from Governor Wes Moore. “Clean up first,” Trump said. Moore wanted a walk to discuss safety. Instead, Trump pushes troops.

Legal fights brew. DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb calls it “unlawful.” Courts may step in. Like the LA trial on Guard use. Trump tests limits. Posse Comitatus Act bars military in law enforcement. But Guard under Title 32 skirts it. They stay local but federal funded.

History echoes. Last big DC Guard use: 2021 Capitol riot. Before that, 2020 protests. Trump deployed then too. For BLM marches. Now, it’s crime focus. But is it needed? Data says no.