Trump Administration to Deploy Additional 500 National Guard Troops to Washington, D.C. After Shooting

The Trump administration has approved the deployment of 500 more National Guard personnel to Washington, D.C., following the shooting of two service members near the White House on Wednesday.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the order while speaking in the Dominican Republic, adding that the Army has begun processing the request. The new deployment will add to the approximately 2,200 troops already stationed in the capital, including around 900 from the D.C. National Guard and more than 1,200 Guard members from other states.

Authorities have not yet confirmed when the additional troops will arrive or which states they will come from.

The decision came shortly after two members of the West Virginia National Guard were critically wounded in an attack in Washington. FBI Director Kash Patel reported that a suspect has been arrested and is receiving medical treatment.

“This will only strengthen our determination to keep Washington, D.C., safe and beautiful,” Hegseth said.

The Guard was first deployed to D.C. in August as part of the administration’s anti-crime initiative. The operation has faced legal challenges, with D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb arguing that the deployment is unlawful. A federal judge recently ruled that the action likely violates federal law but granted the government 21 days to appeal.