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West Virginia Guards Deploy to Washington as D.C. Troops Prepare to Be Armed

Federal funding will extend the security deployment after courts halted efforts to seize DC police leadership.

Members of the National Guard depart the DC Armory in Washington, DC, on August 12, 2025 after troops were ordered to report on Tuesday morning, according to media reports
District of Columbia National Guard soldiers patrol on the National Mall, in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 14, 2025.
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Overview

  • Governor Patrick Morrisey is sending 300–400 West Virginia National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., under Maj. Gen. Jim Seward’s command at the Trump administration’s request.
  • Some D.C. National Guard members have been informed to expect orders to carry weapons in the coming days, signaling a shift from their current unarmed support role.
  • The administration walked back its bid to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department following a lawsuit and emergency court hearing, preserving Chief Pamela Smith’s authority.
  • Since early August, Guard troops in D.C. have focused on administrative, logistical and “area beautification” tasks while federal officers conduct patrols and arrests.
  • Justice Department data show violent crime in Washington fell 35 percent last year to a three-decade low, contrasting with the administration’s stated rationale for the surge.