National Guard troops on patrol in Washington DC will be joined with local law enforcement, according to a Washington Post report on Friday, 48 hours after two Guard members were shot.
“Officers will conduct high-visibility patrols with the National Guard and provide assistance as needed,” according to an email to district leadership obtained by The Post.
The email said the situation is “unstable”, and changes to the plan could still be made.
If enacted, the changes would represent a shift in the way the Guard has been deployed in the nation’s capital since it was appointed in August.
The Trump administration has credited the presence of National Guard troops for a significant reduction in street crime, including murder and assault, as it has allowed law enforcement in the District to focus on other areas. Replacing them with National Guard troops could undercut the reason troops were sent to the city in the first place.
“Law enforcement agencies, including the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, are working in close coordination with the National Guard to ensure the safety of our community,” an MPD spokesperson said.
As part of Trump’s “Safe and Beautiful Task Force”, approximately 2,000 National Guard members have been deployed to Washington, DC. However, they do not have the same training as city police officers.
On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said 500 additional National Guard troops would be deployed to the US capital.
The changes come as the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting faces first-degree murder charges after Army Specialist Sarah Beckstrom died from wounds suffered in the attack. Rahmanullah Lakanwal is also accused of shooting West Virginia National Guard member Andrew Wolfe.
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