Trump Weighs Deployment of 1,000 National Guard Troops to Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump is considering deploying as many as 1,000 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., in a move aimed at boosting security in the nation’s capital. According to one defense official and two U.S. officials, the announcement could come as early as today.

The exact number of troops remains under discussion, though most are expected to come from the D.C. National Guard. Officials emphasize that no final decision has been made and no deployment orders have been signed.

The proposed plan is part of the president’s broader strategy to address crime in the city. Under the arrangement, Guard members would primarily assist law enforcement with administrative duties and the protection of federal personnel and property, rather than taking part in direct policing.

A White House official declined to confirm any specifics, saying only that “all options are on the table when it comes to making D.C. safe again.”

On Wednesday, Trump hinted at the possible move while speaking about crime in the capital. “What a shame, the rate of crime, the rate of muggings, killings and everything else,” he said. “We’re not going to let it [continue] and that includes bringing in the National Guard, maybe very quickly too.”