Daijiworld Media Network – Washington

Washington Aug 25: The National Guard presence in Washington, DC, took a sharp turn on Sunday as deployed units under President Donald Trump’s anti-crime initiative began carrying firearms on city streets, raising concerns of militarisation in the nation’s capital.

A Joint Task Force spokesperson confirmed that select Guard members were ordered to carry weapons following a directive from Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Guard personnel from South Carolina were seen outside Union Station with holstered pistols, while CNN reported long-gun patrols at The Wharf, a popular waterfront hub.

Maj Michael A Maxwell of the task force emphasised that troops would use force “only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm”. The Defence Department clarified that only specific units would be armed, while others on administrative or transport duties would remain unarmed.

More than 2,200 Guard personnel are currently deployed in DC, drawn from states including Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee, West Virginia, and South Carolina, along with 900 local troops. Their roles range from policing transit stops to “community restoration” projects.

The move has triggered protests. Outside Union Station, demonstrators confronted armed troops, holding placards reading “Free DC” and ringing cowbells. Abbey Schneider, a visitor who once lived in the city, told The New York Times, “I have a visceral reaction to it. I feel it is unnecessary and a little bit scary. It feels like an escalation.”

Trump, who ordered the deployment two weeks ago, has hinted that other Democratic-run cities could be next. He has threatened to send troops to Chicago, New York and Baltimore, claiming crime concerns. Critics, however, argue that his crackdown is more focused on detaining undocumented immigrants than tackling violent crime.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore dismissed Trump’s claims, noting that Baltimore’s violent crime rates have declined. “The president is spending all of his time talking about me. I’m spending my time talking about the people I serve,” Moore said.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson vowed legal action if federal troops are deployed, declaring, “We’re not going to surrender our humanity to this tyrant.” Illinois Governor JB Pritzker also accused Trump of attempting to “manufacture a crisis” for political gain.