Hegseth approves Guard vehicle expansion
New memos authorize 60 police cars, boats, and rifles for National Guard patrols in Washington.
By Nathan Brooks ·
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed two memos on Oct. 29 that expand the National Guard's equipment in Washington. The documents authorize the use of 60 military police cars, tactical vehicles, patrol boats, and portable light towers. Troops will also carry rifles during certain operations, though they are banned from carrying them in Metro rail stations.
The new gear marks a shift from the initial deployment in August 2025. At that time, President Donald Trump sent Guard members to the capital for a crime-fighting mission. Early patrols featured tactical vehicles and armed troops near landmarks. Since then, Guard members have patrolled neighborhoods, dispersed homeless camps, and assisted with citywide cleanup efforts.
The expanded presence comes as officials address recent incidents involving Guard personnel. A Georgia serviceman was arrested for pointing a gun at a fellow Guard member. Another Guard member was arrested for carrying an unauthorized firearm. In a separate incident, a Guardsman was shot while trying to break up a fight.
The memos detail specific operational changes. Visibility patrols will expand, and 20 light towers will be deployed to enhance force protection in patrol zones. The vehicles used must be marked as National Guard, and troops must wear uniforms. Two patrol boats will provide operational maritime support. The documents explicitly forbid high-speed chases.
Hegseth stated that the total number of deployed Guard members will remain capped at 3,500. This is lower than the summer peak of about 5,000 during the nation's 250th anniversary celebrations. The memos also assign six analysts to address organized drug distribution in D.C. Troops supporting anti-gang and drug operations can now carry rifles in addition to pistols.
One memo grants the U.S. Marshals Service access to the 260th Special Purpose Brigade. This unit will help protect key federal leaders and secure federal facilities. However, a separate Nov. 4 memo denied requests for Guard helicopters and troops to clean up abandoned tires in specific areas of the city.
The Pentagon confirmed that Hegseth authorized the continued use of Guard personnel for the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission. Nearly 3,100 Guard members from various states are currently in Washington. More than 500 are from Georgia, the largest contingent outside the District. The District had 514 members involved as of Monday. A federal appeals court heard arguments on Oct. 14 after a lower court sided with the city in its September 2025 lawsuit over the deployment.
