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As many as 800 District of Columbia National Guard troops were activated Monday to “address the epidemic of crime in our nation’s capital,” President Donald Trump announced during a press conference.
The president issued an executive order declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., as well as a presidential memorandum directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to mobilize the D.C. Guard “until order is restored.”
The Guardsmen will be deployed under Title 32 status in the streets by mid-week. There will be 100-200 Guardsmen at any given time acting in support of law enforcement.
“Their duties will include an array of tasks from administrative, logistics and physical presence in support of law enforcement,” according to a statement from the Army.
“There are other units we are prepared to bring in; other National Guard units, other specialized units,” stated Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth during Monday’s briefing.
The presidential memorandum directs Hegseth to “coordinate with State Governors and authorize the orders of any additional National Guard units” as needed.
The D.C. Guardsmen are often called to support law enforcement in the nation’s capital. They supported the Army parade in June. They were also on the streets for protests in June 2020 and following the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes-Norton criticized the presidential decision, while D.C. Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton said in a statement it agrees with the president that “immediate action is necessary” to tamp down crime.
Holmes-Norton plans to reintroduce legislation to give D.C. full control over the Guard when Congress reconvenes in September.
D.C. officials have said violent crime is at a 30-year low.
The mobilization is the latest case in which Trump has called on the Guard for domestic purposes. Last week, Guardsmen were activated in support of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in nine Florida cities, according to the Christian Science Monitor.
The Pentagon authorized the deployment of 1,700 Guardsmen under Title 32 to assist the Department of Homeland Security in about 20 states.
“This ongoing support, provided in response to a May 9, 2025, request for assistance from the Department of Homeland Security includes case management, transportation and logistical support, and clerical support for the in- and out-processing of illegal aliens at ICE detention facilities,” said Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell in a July 25 statement.
Hegseth has authorized personnel to be assigned for operations through Nov. 15.
“The specific tasks and timeline for full deployment by National Guard personnel from each state will be determined by the respective Governors in coordination with their local ICE office,” the National Guard Bureau told The Nevada Independent.
Some governors and other state officials have confirmed in official statements or to news outlets plans to mobilize in support roles.
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, confirmed last week plans for about two dozen Nevada Guard personnel to provide “administrative” assistance to ICE.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, both Republican, also stated plans to mobilize Guardsmen to assist with “administrative duties.”
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, another Republican, said in a press release that the support is just the beginning of a partnership between the Indiana Guard and federal immigration authorities.
“As previously announced, Camp Atterbury will be available for temporary use by the Department of Homeland Security to house illegal aliens subject to deportation, with safety in mind for staff, detainees, and surrounding communities,” he said.
“This mission will not interfere with the Indiana National Guard’s ability to respond or their training readiness,” Braun added in the Aug. 1 release.
Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott has denied the Pentagon request to use the Vermont Guard.
It is not known if the request for ICE support was made to any states with governors who are Democrats.
—By Jennifer Hickey
