National Guard to use military vehicles and boats in expanded DC patrols
Memos signed Oct. 29 let Guard troops use 60 military police cars, patrol boats and light towers, with the troop cap set at 3,500.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved a larger National Guard presence in Washington, D.C., according to two memos signed Oct. 29 and obtained by The Associated Press. Troops will work more closely with local law enforcement and use tactical vehicles, patrol boats, and portable light towers during expanded patrols.
The memos allow 60 military police cars and 20 light towers. Patrol cars must be marked "National Guard," and troops must wear uniforms. Troops may carry rifles during some anti-gang and drug operations but not in Metro rail stations. High-speed chases are banned.
The maximum number of deployed Guard members will remain at 3,500, below a summer peak of about 5,000 during the America 250 celebrations. One memo lets the U.S. Marshals Service use the D.C. Guard's 260th Special Purpose Brigade to protect key federal leaders and facilities. The move follows recent incidents involving Guard members in the city, including an arrest for pulling a gun on another Guard member and a shooting during a fight.
Key points
- Memos signed Oct. 29 allow 60 military police cars and tactical vehicles.
- Troop cap stays at 3,500, lower than the summer peak of about 5,000.
- Guard troops can carry rifles in some anti-gang and drug operations.
- The U.S. Marshals Service can use a Guard quick-reaction unit to protect federal sites.
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Summarized with AI from the sources above and reviewed before publishing.
