Hegseth Authorizes National Guard to Scale DC Security with Military Vehicles and Boats
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approves expanded National Guard patrols in Washington D.C. using tactical vehicles, patrol boats, and marked police cars.
POLICY WIRE — Washington, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has cleared a significant expansion of the National Guard presence within the capital, authorizing the use of military tactical equipment and naval assets.
According to two memos signed on October 29 and obtained by The Associated Press, the directive allows troops to utilize specialized hardware to bolster patrols throughout the district.
The authorization permits the deployment of up to 60 wheeled vehicles, including a fleet of Humvees, 2.5-ton cargo trucks, and marked patrol cars.
In addition to land-based units, the National Guard is now permitted to deploy patrol boats to monitor the nation’s capital’s waterways.
The move also grants the authority to use portable light equipment as part of the increased security footprint in the urban area.
The decision to expand the presence comes amidst political friction, as Brooke Pinto has recently called upon five incoming governors to withdraw 628 National Guard members currently stationed in the city.
Similarly, Washington D.C. lawmakers have expressed intentions to urge new Democratic governors to facilitate the withdrawal of National Guard forces from the district.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
