The Daily Populous Saturday August 23rd, 2025 morning edition
Authored by cnn.com and submitted by IMSLI

Federal agencies US military Pete Hegseth National security See all topics Follow

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered National Guard members patrolling the streets of Washington, DC, to begin carrying their service weapons as they fulfill President Donald Trump’s crime crackdown in the nation’s capital, according to a US defense official.

The directive from Hegseth represents a notable shift in guidance from the Pentagon, which had previously indicated that National Guard members could be armed if the circumstances warranted, and suggests hundreds of guard troops deployed in DC will soon be carrying weapons despite serving in a support role.

“At the direction of the Secretary of Defense, (Joint Task Force) JTF-DC members supporting the mission to lower the crime rate in our Nation’s capital will soon be on mission with their service-issued weapons, consistent with their mission and training,” the official said.

The D.C. National Guard remains committed to safeguarding the District of Columbia and serving those who live, work, and visit the District,” the official added.

It comes as other states’ National Guard members have begun arriving in Washington, DC, to be in-processed to assist the DC National Guard.

More than 1,900 troops from multiple states have been called up as part of the mission including from West Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi, Ohio, Louisiana, and Tennessee National Guards, according to a release from Joint Task Force – DC on Thursday.

The Trump administration has increasingly touted the presence of National Guard members and additional federal law enforcement officers in recent days.

DrinkYourWater69 on August 22nd, 2025 at 18:08 UTC »

Literally a hostile take over of the nations capital being live streamed.

JohnnyGFX on August 22nd, 2025 at 17:21 UTC »

I can't help but think the Trump administration is trying to start a war against America.

RumRunnersHideaway on August 22nd, 2025 at 17:20 UTC »

"come on someone shoot someone already so we can justify martial law" -Hegseth, Miller, Vance

Trump is over in the corner getting his diaper changed and trying to figure out how to con more money out of this.