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National Guard to Boost Presence in Washington with Military Vehicles
Confirmed
In Short: The National Guard is set to increase its presence in Washington, D.C., with the deployment of military vehicles and boats to support law enforcement operations, according to memos signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The National Guard is set to increase its presence in Washington, D.C., with the deployment of military vehicles and boats to support law enforcement operations, according to memos signed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The memos, signed on October 29, authorize the use of 60 military police cars, tactical vehicles, patrol boats, and portable light towers during patrols around the city.
This boost in troop presence comes amid increased issues involving Guard members assigned to the city, including arrests of Guard members for carrying unauthorized firearms and incidents involving the use of weapons.
Experts say the visibility patrols, a mainstay of the Guard's mission in Washington, will be expanded, though the maximum number of deployed Guard members will remain at 3,500, lower than the summertime peak of about 5,000 during America's 250th anniversary celebrations.
The National Guard has been supporting law enforcement operations, patrolling neighborhoods, dispersing homeless camps, and helping with citywide cleanup efforts.
The Guard's presence in Washington has been contentious since August 2025, when President Donald Trump issued an emergency order due to what he described as out-of-control crime.
According to The Daily Wire, approximately 628 National Guard members currently deployed in Washington come from states that recently elected Democratic governors.
In a separate development, Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, in an effort to reopen diplomatic channels between Washington and Tehran.
The US has announced an “Economic D-Day” against Tehran, the toughest sanctions regime in Washington’s history aimed at severing all economic lifelines that sustain the Iranian regime and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Iran’s national currency hit a new all-time low of more than 2.25 million rials per US dollar when Tehran’s market opened for the start of the working week on Saturday.
Chinese manufacturers shipped roughly 90 percent of the world’s humanoid robots in 2025, backed by more than $20 billion in Chinese robotics subsidies in 2024–25 and a roughly $137 billion national AI and robotics fund.
The National Guard’s expanded presence is part of President Trump’s initiative to crack down on crime in Washington, D.C.
What this adds
The expanded patrols are aimed at increasing the visibility and effectiveness of the National Guard's operations in Washington, D.C.
What's confirmed
- The memos say "visibility patrols," a mainstay of the Guard's mission in Washington, are going to be expanded and 20 light towers will be employed to "enhance force protection in patrol zones." But Hegseth says the maximum number of deployed Guard members would stay at 3,500, lower than a summertime peak of about 5,000 during America's 250th anniversary celebrations.
- In two memos signed Oct. 29 and obtained by The Associated Press, Hegseth approved the National Guard to use 60 military police cars as well as tactical vehicles, patrol boats and portable light towers during increased patrols around Washington.
- Vance sent a letter to Mohsen Rezaei, the secretary of Iran’s top security body, the Supreme National Security Council, and previously Iran’s longest-serving commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to the people.
- Hegseth approved the National Guard to use 60 military police cars as well as tactical vehicles, patrol boats and portable light towers during increased patrols around Washington.
- National Guard members have supported law enforcement operations, patrolled neighborhoods, dispersed homeless camps and helped with citywide cleanup efforts.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed off on the National Guard ramping up its presence in the nation’s capital in military vehicles and boats as troops deepen their integration with local law enforcement.
- Tactical vehicles and troops carrying guns initially were seen at some Washington landmarks.
- With the Capitol in the distance, National Guard troops and other people walk along the National Mall as colorful autumn leaves fall in Washington, Thursday, Nov.
- Members of the National Guard walk past the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, where some water can be seen, Tuesday, Oct.
What's still developing
- Left: Members of the National Guard stand near the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., Aug.13, 2026. by Kylie Cooper/Reuters By David Klepper, Ben Finley, Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press By Amna Nawaz, Kayan Taraporevala, Eliot Barnhart, Ali Schmitz Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press Konstantin Toropin, Associated Press Thank you.
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- Due to critical issues with the right-hand engine, the crew diverted course and headed for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
- She told the investigating MPD officer that she assumed the gun was loaded since all National Guard firearms are generally loaded.