National Guard troops called on to active-duty by President Donald Trump arrived at the footsteps of the Washington Monument on Tuesday as part of his plan to address what he insists is “out of control” crime in the nation’s capital.
Col. Dave Butler, an Army spokesperson, said the troops were called on to help local law enforcement with logistics support, transportation and administration duties, as well as being visible around the National Mall.
“That’s part of our assignment – to go to the national monuments and be present,” he told ABC News.
Military vehicles with the Washington, DC National Guard are parked near the Washington Monument on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration has initiated a federal takeover of DC police and mobilized the DC National Guard, saying the moves are necessary to restore order in the city. City officials say they did not know about the plans in advance.
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The deployment of troops on U.S. soil is legal to an extent, with the president holding the power to wrangle service members in times of extraordinary crisis. But their duties are also limited to protecting federal personnel and federal property unless the president declares an insurrection, which he has not done.
It was not immediately clear why the presence of U.S. troops along the National Mall was needed, other than to put Trump’s orders on display. The area, marked by museums, monuments and long stretches of grass, is known as a relatively safe part of the city that attracts mostly tourists and school groups.
National Guard troops are deployed to the Washington Monument as part of President Trump’s mobilization of law enforcement on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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The troops are expected to have access to weapons but will not carry them, Butler said.
Members of the Washington, DC National Guard patrol near the Washington Monument on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. The Trump administration has initiated a federal takeover of DC police and mobilized the DC National Guard, saying the moves are necessary to restore order in the city. City officials say they did not know about the plans in advance.
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Trump has railed against what he calls rampant crime in D.C. On Monday, he called a press conference to announce he would take over the Washington, D.C., police department and activate troops from the D.C. National Guard.
Officials said 100 Guard troops reported to duty on Tuesday with more expected throughout the week.
National Guard troops are deployed to the Washington Monument as part of President Trump’s mobilization of law enforcement on August 12, 2025 in Washington, DC.
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“Something’s out of control,” Trump said Monday of D.C. crime. “But we’re going to put it in control very quickly, like we did in the southern border. I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor and worse. This is Liberation Day in D.C., and we’re going to take our capital back.”
Trump’s control of the D.C. police force expires in 30 days, after which Congress would have to weigh in.
Troops load boxes of rifle ammunition at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters as President Donald Trump implements his order to use federal law enforcement and the National Guard to expel homeless people and rid the nation’s capital of violent crime, in Washington, D.C., Aug. 12, 2025.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Earlier on Tuesday, an Army spokesperson said the Guard troops had not been given a mission yet other than to support law enforcement. The expectation was that the service would need the rest of the week to account for the 800 troops and mobilize them before deploying them next week.
Like all service members serving in the U.S., the Guard will fall under the Standing Rules for the Use of Force, similar to what was used during the deployment of federalized Guard members to Los Angeles following protests against immigration raids.
Under those rules, military personnel have the right of self-defense to protect themselves and others, but use de-escalation techniques to minimize the use of force to accomplish their mission.
A member of the District of Columbia National Guard arrives at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP
Appearing on Fox News on Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the activated Guard troops will have “broad latitude” under existing authorities, but “they’re not going to be involved in law enforcement functions.”
Earlier this year, Trump activated other Guard personnel in Los Angeles to protect immigration agents conducting raids and arrests. In other parts of the country, Guard personnel have been activated to help law enforcement with administrative work.
