Hegseth calls National Guard to assist in DC against crime

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a significant deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, DC, in an effort to curb rising crime levels.

According to New York Post, authorized by President Trump, these troops will support law enforcement but refrain from direct law enforcement duties.

The initiative involves mobilizing National Guard forces, not only from Washington, DC, but also from other states, over the coming weeks. This deployment aims to augment local and federal law enforcement's resources in battling crime. Although the troops will be visible and active in the area, they will not execute traditional police tasks.

National Guard Acts as Force Multipliers

The troops' activation is under the framework of Title 32, granting them considerable scope for action while explicitly excluding them from performing law enforcement roles. Hegseth explained that the National Guard would provide essential support to law enforcement agencies by serving as “force multipliers.”

In alignment with Title 32, these troops can assist law enforcement by temporarily detaining suspects, similar to the Guard's role during the prior deployment to Los Angeles. Hegseth assured that this does not translate to rogue law enforcement, emphasizing the prudent application of common sense.

Previously, President Trump had directed the deployment of National Guard and Marine units to Los Angeles in response to civil unrest in June. By the first of July, most of those forces had withdrawn, although they left some 300 personnel in place to maintain order.

Washington Mobilized Under Executive Order

President Trump's recent executive order signifies a determination to restore Washington, DC's reputation as a safe and pristine city. The decision centralizes control over the city's National Guard, a role that customarily falls to state governors but, in DC's case, rests with the president.

As Hegseth conveyed, the decision to deploy the National Guard was “conditions-based,” designed to relieve law enforcement officers, allowing them to be more effective. However, the precise number of forces to be dispatched to the capital and the operation's duration remain undisclosed.

The emphasis on coordination is underscored by Hegseth's commitment to having the troops stand alongside federal agents actively. He noted that any hostile acts against the troops would elicit a measured response, highlighting the presence as proactive and protective.

Support and Coordination With Law Enforcement

Hegseth expressed a robust backing of the troops, pledging that they would have his support in taking appropriate action to defend both DC residents and themselves. This cooperative approach aims to maintain order and safety across the city.

While this deployment underscores a commitment to security, it also draws on strategies previously applied in Los Angeles, where cooperation with local forces included detaining suspects and handing them to law enforcement. Hegseth portrayed this role as essential, rather than passive, in discouraging criminal activities.

Despite the absence of specific timelines, Hegseth conveyed confidence in the president's direction, suggesting that while the duration is uncertain – “weeks, months?” – the support will be unwavering until objectives are met.

President Trump's objective aligns with making Washington, DC, one of the world’s safest and most appealing urban centers. This initiative seeks to provide the necessary tools to law enforcement to achieve this goal effectively, ensuring that public safety remains paramount.

The deployment not only aims to address immediate security concerns but to also establish a longer-term framework supporting law enforcement's operations.