As most government activities remain shut down in Washington D.C. due to budget gridlock, the National Guard remains on patrol across the nation’s capital.
Its deployment has now stretched past 60 days, with about 1,500 guardsmen from nine states continuing to assist D.C. police with public safety—even as D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has chastised President Donald Trump and his administration for overruling local officials’ control; however, unlike state governors, Bowser lacks the authority to control and prevent the National Guard from being deployed.
The guard’s ongoing mission began in August when Trump raised concerns regarding the city’s crime rates, which prompted him to authorize an extended deployment across the District of Columbia.
“The National Guard is uniquely qualified for this mission as a community-based force with strong local ties, disciplined training, and the ability to integrate seamlessly with law enforcement agencies,” a Joint Task Force (JTF) D.C. spokesperson told Military.com.
Even with the federal government’s shutdown, operations have not slowed.
“National Guard members supporting JTF-D.C. will continue to execute their current mission, and our commitment to the welfare and safety of D.C. residents is resolute,” the spokesperson added.
Attempts by Military.com to speak directly with guardsmen in D.C. were met with hesitation, reflecting adherence to communication rules by service members. Ultimately, they declined to discuss their deployments in the region.
Thousands of Troops in D.C.
The JTF-D.C. mission refers to the deployment of the National Guard that has remained ongoing since Aug. 11, “in support of local D.C. and federal law enforcement for the purpose of restoring law and order in the District of Columbia,” according to the JTF-D.C. website.
The deployment was activated under Trump’s 14333 executive order issued the same day, which declared a “crime emergency” in the District of Columbia. The deployment will continue until the administration deems that law and order has been restored.
The operation, currently slated to continue through the end of November, is being carried out by troops from the D.C. National Guard as well as units from Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee and West Virginia.
Troops consist of approximately 2,300 Army National Guard members and 200 Air National Guard members, per JTF-DC. The fewest troops come from Ohio (140) while the most are in Washington D.C. (960).
Their duties and tasks, as outlined online, include supporting needs such as presence and crowd control; beautification efforts including graffiti removal and trash cleanup; increased presence with Metro Transit Police at D.C. stations; support in high-traffic areas; and assisting U.S. Park Police.
‘Visible Crime Deterrent’
While most Smithsonian museums, federal agencies, and national parks have closed due to the shutdown, the National Guard remains as one of the federal presences still regularly operating around the capital.
According to the JTF-D.C. spokesperson, its members are primarily tasked with supporting the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and federal partners through monument security, community safety patrols, traffic control and area beautification.
“Guard members will provide a visible crime deterrent rather than making arrests, conducting searches, or engaging in direct law enforcement actions,” they said.
Exact deployment locations were not disclosed for operational security reasons, but the Guard confirmed that site decisions are made jointly by the D.C. commander, the Metropolitan Police Department, and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Guard members’ ages vary widely, officials said, reflective of the overall military demographic.
Troops continue to train and maintain readiness to deploy “at a moment’s notice,” in keeping with the National Guard motto: “Always Ready, Always There.”
D.C. residents will often bypass National Guard troops in highly frequented areas of D.C., such as near tourist attractions, Chinatown, Union Station, Dupont Circle, U Street, Adams Morgan and downtown.
JTF-D.C. said morale remains steady and that troops are balancing operational endurance with sufficient rest periods to sustain the mission.
For now, the National Guard’s work will continue.
“We are a nonpartisan instrument of national defense,” the JTF-D.C. spokesperson said. “Our service to this mission, and to the people of Washington, D.C., will continue.”
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