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The National Guard has been activated in Washington, D.C., to support local and federal law enforcement following a presidential declaration of a crime emergency in the nation's capital. On August 11, President Donald J. Trump announced the measure, vowing to restore safety and order to the city's streets.
In a press conference, the president stated, "Washington, D.C., should be one of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful cities anywhere in the world, and we're going to make it that." Following the announcement, President Trump activated the D.C. National Guard under Title 32 to assist in the effort.
Initially, approximately 800 service members were mobilized to form Joint Task Force D.C., tasked with supporting a newly established D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. According to a Department of Defense statement, these soldiers are providing critical support to law enforcement agencies to enforce existing laws and take violent criminals off the streets. The deployment includes visible patrols in areas such as the National Mall to deter criminal activity.
Subsequent reports indicate the number of personnel has increased significantly. The D.C. National Guard confirmed that the force has grown to over 1,900 personnel, with reinforcements arriving from West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. This multi-state collaboration aims to bolster the presence of law enforcement throughout the District. As part of their activation, some Guard members have been deputized by U.S. marshals to grant them specific law enforcement authorities.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson commented on the mission's importance, stating, "I think there's no more important job for this department than to stand alongside federal law enforcement partners and local police in securing our nation's capital." The deployment is intended to be a support role, augmenting the capabilities of existing police forces rather than replacing them.
