National Guard troops patrolling the United States capital, Washington, DC, at the direction of US President Donald Trump have begun carrying firearms, the military said on Sunday.
The deployment, which began on August 11, 2025, following Trump’s executive order declaring a crime emergency, has been met with protests and concern from residents. Under the law, the president can maintain control over policing in the capital for up to 30 days.
Pentagon officials confirmed to Fox News that up to 1,700 National Guard members are set to mobilise in 19 states in the coming weeks to support President Trump’s anti-immigration and crime crackdown.
The National Guard is a reserve military force in the US that can be mobilised for active duty when needed. It responds to domestic emergencies like natural disasters and civil unrest and supports military operations abroad.
It has two branches, the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard, with roughly 431,000 members, making it the second-largest branch of the US military.
It is composed of part-time soldiers and airmen who typically train one weekend a month and two weeks a year while holding civilian jobs.
The National Guard is one of the oldest military institutions in the US, tracing its origins back to 1636, predating the founding of the US in 1776.
It grew out of colonial militias, which were organised to protect local communities, and over time evolved into the modern National Guard structure.
Each US state and territory – as well as Washington, DC – has its own National Guard unit. These units have a dual role, serving both state and federal governments.
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