A week after two National Guard members were ambushed near the White House, the Pentagon has ordered every Guard member deployed in Washington, D.C., to carry live weapons — a move that has drawn scrutiny from The Guardian, which questioned whether all Guardsmen are professionally trained enough for street-level patrols.
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson confirmed on Tuesday that “everybody in D.C. is now armed,” and said many Guard troops have begun conducting joint patrols with the Metropolitan Police Department. The change in posture follows the shooting that killed 20-year-old National Guard member Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounded 24-year-old Andrew Wolfe last Wednesday near Farragut West Metro station.
The Guard has been stationed in Washington since August, when the Trump administration declared a “crime emergency” under an executive order and directed federal agencies — including the National Guard — to support local law enforcement in reducing violent crime across the city.
The White House has since ordered hundreds of additional Guard personnel into the capital.
According to The Guardian, the shift marks a “significant” change in rules of engagement, raising questions about how prepared all Guard troops are for armed domestic missions. The outlet noted that although every soldier completes basic training, weapons proficiency “varies widely” across specialties, and many units primarily handle support roles rather than combat duties. The Guardian reported that this disparity has led to concerns about “potential escalation” when arming all personnel for urban patrols.
The Joint Task Force–District of Columbia disputed that characterization, telling The Guardian that “every service member is trained and qualified on their assigned weapon in accordance with Department of War standards.” The task force also said Guard members in D.C. have been armed “since August 2025” and are operating under established rules for the use of force.
Wilson defended the new posture, calling the threat environment “urgent.” He said Guard forces remain committed to supporting civil authorities in major cities nationwide, including Los Angeles and Chicago.
The legal question surrounding the deployment remains unresolved. A recent court order found the National Guard’s D.C. mission unlawful, but the ruling is on hold pending the Trump administration’s appeal.
The shooting at the center of the controversy continues to ripple across the city and the military community. The Department of Homeland Security identified the suspect as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national who previously served in an elite CIA-backed unit before coming to the U.S. under Operation Allies Welcome. He is recovering from gunshot wounds and now faces upgraded first-degree murder charges.
Meanwhile, federal officials have launched a broad review of immigration cases involving Afghan nationals and are examining asylum approvals issued during the previous administration.
For now, the National Guard mission in the capital continues — with live ammunition, joint patrols, and a growing debate over training, readiness, and the Guard’s evolving role in domestic security.
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