Hegseth Authorizes 60 Guard Vehicles in D.C. as Council Pushes to Withdraw 628 Troops
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 5
Hegseth Authorizes 60 Guard Vehicles in D.C. as Council Pushes to Withdraw 628 Troops
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 5
Summary
An Oct. 29 memo lets National Guard troops in Washington use up to 60 marked patrol cars, Humvees, tactical vehicles, boats, and 20 light towers and generators.
The Pentagon said the assets will support the "Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful" mission and federal and local law-enforcement operations tied to Trump's crime crackdown.
About 3,000 Guard troops remain deployed in the capital, and the authorization follows Hegseth's earlier decision to let troops carry service-issued weapons when missions require it.
At a Thursday hearing, D.C. Councilmember Brooke Pinto called the military presence unnecessary, harmful and unlawful, urging five newly elected Democratic governors to pull 628 troops their states sent.
Pinto also pressed congressional Democrats to step up oversight in January, including badge-identification and body-camera requirements for federal law-enforcement operations.