In a stunning escalation, National Guard units patrolling Washington, D.C. under President Donald Trump’s orders have started carrying firearms, including handguns and rifles. This follows a directive from the Defense Secretary, with a clear message: force is a ‘last resort’ only for imminent threats. The move has sparked intense debate as thousands of troops flood the capital’s streets.
This development comes amid Trump’s broader push to override local law enforcement, with plans to possibly expand deployments to cities like Baltimore and Chicago.
‘Force should be used only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm,’ stated the joint task force overseeing D.C. policing.
Public reaction has been fierce, with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, slamming Trump’s actions as an overreach of federal power. Moore even invited Trump to Baltimore to discuss public safety, only to be met with a cryptic response about sending in ‘troops.’
As tensions boil, one thing is clear: this armed presence is dividing opinions. Is this about safety, or control? What do you think—should federal troops be armed on city streets?