The Department of the Army and the D.C. National Guard have deployed Guardsmen across Washington after receiving presidential orders, with missions beginning Tuesday evening to assist law enforcement, the Army said.
Troops completed in-processing and were addressed Tuesday morning by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, according to the announcement. Their assignment focuses on maintaining a uniformed presence in prominent public locations to deter crime. They will not conduct arrests, searches, or direct law-enforcement operations. The Army said soldiers may briefly detain individuals to prevent imminent harm, with custody transferred promptly to police.
Personnel are outfitted with protective gear, including body armor. Weapons are available but will be kept in the armory, the Army said. Initial teams are operating High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles, or HMMWVs, with future support to be tailored to the needs identified by partner law-enforcement agencies.
Photos released by the Army show service members supporting the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force on the National Mall and near Union Station this week.
The Army and the D.C. National Guard said they remain prepared to adjust their posture quickly as conditions change to reinforce public safety in the capital.
