Hegseth approves more vehicles, boats for DC National Guard

War Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized Washington, D.C.’s National Guard to use up to 60 marked patrol cars, military tactical vehicles, boats, and 20 light towers and generators in support of federal and local law enforcement. The boats are intended to provide perimeter security during police operations in Anacostia, and federal officers must be aboard; Guard troops cannot pursue suspects or make arrests. Issued October 29, the authorization does not explain why the expansion is happening now, and the additional equipment is slated for use through the end of the year. About 3,100 Guard members are in the capital under a deployment that began in August 2025 and is expected to continue through Inauguration Day 2029. Local officials are pushing to end the deployment, while one cited analysis found declines in some property crimes, no change in homicides, and a slight increase in assaults with dangerous weapons.