Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expanded the National Guard role in Washington, D.C
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the National Guard to expand its Washington, D.C., law-enforcement support, approving patrol cars, tactical vehicles, boats and portable light towers, The Associated Press reported, citing two Oct. 29 memos. Troops may carry rifles during some operations but not in Metro stations. The New Republic reported troops still cannot pursue suspects or make arrests.
More context
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized an expanded National Guard role in Washington, D.C., approving patrol cars, military tactical vehicles and boats to support law enforcement, The Associated Press reported, citing two memos signed Oct. 29. The guidance allows up to 60 marked patrol cars and up to 20 light towers and generators, according to a Pentagon official cited by The Hill. The memos also permit rifles during some operations, but not in Metro rail stations, and prohibit high-speed chases. The Hill, citing Politico’s account of the memo, reported that boats will provide perimeter security for police operations targeting suspected gang leaders and drug traffickers in Anacostia, with federal officers aboard. Troops may not use the vehicles to pursue suspects or make arrests, The Hill reported; Task & Purpose said they may temporarily detain someone while alerting local law enforcement.
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Reporting
- Bloomberg — Hegseth Expands National Guard Presence in Washington DC - Bloomberg
- PBS News (with Associated Press) — Hegseth allows National Guard to boost DC patrols with military vehicles, boats and patrol cars | PBS News
- The Hill — National Guard to expand presence in Washington, DC
- The New York Times — National Guard to Expand Patrols in Washington With Military Vehicles and Boats
- Task & Purpose — Guardsmen on DC mission to get more patrol cars, boats and Humvees
- The New Republic — Hegseth Expands National Guard in D.C. Amid Arrest Over “Finger Gun” | The New Republic
- macombdaily.com (with Associated Press) — Hegseth allows National Guard to boost DC patrols with military vehicles, boats and patrol cars
- todaypress.tv — Military equipment mobilised in US capital as National Guard steps up operations — TodayPress.tv
Verifier’s note
PBS NewsHour and Macomb Daily report that Hegseth approved expanded National Guard patrol equipment, and Bloomberg, The Hill, Task & Purpose, and The New York Times also report the authorization. The New Republic and TodayPress.tv repeat details attributed to Politico; all results are consistent with the proposed event and its timing.