In Photos: National Guard in D.C.

On Aug. 11, President Donald Trump activated the National Guard in the District of Columbia to support his crackdown on crime. The move came amid a drop in violent crime in the District and without the request or consent of the elected D.C. mayor or Council. The original deployment of 800 D.C. National Guard troops in early August expanded to over 2000 National Guard troops by mid-August. Trump sourced the additional troops from Republican-led states including Louisiana, West Virginia, Ohio, South Carolina and Tennessee. Since then, the troops have been stationed in various locations around the District.

Members of the National Guard patrolled the entryway of Union Station. Photos by Sam Gross ’27 on Sept. 7.
Pedestrians struck up conversations with the troops stationed in Dupont Circle. D.C. residents frequent the Dupont area more than other areas patrolled by the National Guard like the National Mall. One passenger in the Dupont Circle Metro Station told two troops to “go home.”
Troops patrolled near protest tents outside Union Station on Sept. 7. These tents were filled with insignia from multiple protest movements including the anti-Trump and pro-Palestine movements. Many of the protesters in this area were military veterans themselves.
These troops were stationed in Dupont Circle. The troops patrolled around the exterior perimeter of the 154-year-old circle.
These troops carried M4 rifles and were stationed outside Union Station. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the National Guard to carry weapons on Aug. 22.
Troops patrolled near the entrance of Union Station. Some travelers who exited Union Station carefully watched the troops pass by, while others ignored them.
These troops patrolled the sidewalk between the Washington Monument and the Ellipse. This person talked to the group of troops for a few minutes.
These troops filled up their water bottles near the World War II Memorial after they were dropped off by a white van.
These troops walked towards Union Station from E St. NE.
These troops patrolled near the Amtrak Red Cap service desk.