National Guard troops with military vehicles have established a visible presence outside Union Station as part of President Trump's expanding federal law enforcement initiative in the nation's capital.
According to Fox News, approximately seven National Guard Humvees and other military vehicles, along with 25 to 30 troops, stood guard outside DC's Union Station on Thursday. The deployment comes as Trump's administration federalized portions of the District of Columbia's police force earlier this week.
The National Guard presence has expanded significantly beyond Union Station to multiple strategic locations throughout Washington. Troops have been positioned around the National Mall, metro stations, near a U.S. Park building in Anacostia, and other areas across the capital city.
Military Personnel Support Federal Law Enforcement
As of Thursday, 800 National Guard members have been mobilized to Washington, D.C., according to the Defense Department. Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson confirmed that the troops are unarmed and are supporting other federal law enforcement agencies called to address violence in the district.
Wilson explained that the scope of support may be adjusted based on partner needs, comparing it to the Los Angeles mission, where troops can temporarily detain individuals before transferring them to law enforcement. The National Guard is specifically supporting the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, the Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Secret Service.
At Union Station, Fox News Digital observed around 25 to 30 National Guard personnel, all military police, along with four Humvees and three Mine Resistant Ambush Protected All-Terrain Vehicles. The troops were only observed carrying riot batons during the deployment.
Crime Reduction Operations Expand to 24/7 Coverage
The federal law enforcement operations initially focused on nighttime patrols but expanded to 24/7 coverage beginning Thursday. This represents a significant escalation in the federal government's approach to addressing crime in the nation's capital.
The increased law enforcement presence has prompted protesters to take to the streets, including some observed at Union Station on Thursday. The deployment follows Trump's broader federal crime operation that has reportedly resulted in 100 arrests.
Operations aimed at reducing crime in the capital have drawn both support and opposition from various community groups. The federal takeover represents a dramatic shift in how law enforcement is being conducted in Washington, DC.
Community Response and Ongoing Protests
The heightened federal presence has sparked community demonstrations across multiple neighborhoods in Washington. On Wednesday night, local media reports indicated approximately 100 protesters gathered in one Northwest Washington neighborhood where police had established a vehicle checkpoint.
These protests represent organized community resistance to the increased police presence and federal takeover of local law enforcement functions. The demonstrations have occurred in areas where federal agencies have established checkpoints and increased patrols.
The community response highlights the controversial nature of the federal intervention in local policing matters. Protesters have challenged the increased police presence in various neighborhoods throughout the district as operations continue to expand.
Federal Coordination Continues Across Multiple Agencies
The National Guard deployment represents just one component of a larger federal law enforcement coordination effort in Washington, DC. Multiple federal agencies are working together under the expanded federal authority to address crime in the capital.
The operation demonstrates the Trump administration's commitment to using federal resources to address local crime issues. The coordination between various federal agencies represents a significant federal intervention in local law enforcement matters.
Pentagon officials have indicated that the deployment scope may continue to adjust based on operational needs and partner agency requirements. The federal operation continues to evolve as agencies assess the effectiveness of current deployment strategies and community response.
