National Guard Mobilized to Address Crime Emergency in Washington, D.C.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the mobilization would be operationalized by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, with guard members deployed in the streets within the coming week.

UNITED STATES — President Donald J. Trump declared a crime emergency in the nation's capital on August 11, 2025, and issued a memorandum to mobilize the D.C. National Guard.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that the mobilization would be operationalized by Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, with guard members deployed in the streets within the coming week.

Approximately 800 soldiers were activated as part of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, including 100 to 200 personnel supporting law enforcement in administrative, logistical, and physical presence roles.

Hegseth indicated that additional National Guard units and specialized units are prepared to participate if needed.

The initiative aims to restore safety and cleanliness to Washington, D.C., which has experienced elevated crime rates.

According to a White House executive order, the 2024 murder rate in the District of Columbia was 27.54 per 100,000 residents, and the vehicle theft rate was 842.4 per 100,000 residents.

Recent incidents include the murder of two embassy staffers in May 2025, the shooting death of a congressional intern near the White House in June 2025, and the beating of a federal employee by a mob on August 3, 2025.

Trump described situations of lawlessness, including youth rampaging on ATVs and motorbikes, leading to emergency curfews in neighborhoods.