Nearly 2,000 National Guard troops have now been deployed to join President Donald Trump's crackdown on Washington, DC.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered that National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington for President Trump's law enforcement crackdown will be armed, the Pentagon said.

There are nearly 2,000 National Guard members in the District. They’ve been deployed to areas including the National Mall, Nationals Park and Metro stations.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the National Guard personnel patrolling the streets of Washington DC to be armed, as the Trump administration's crackdown on crime in the capital continues.

Mayor Brandon Johnson calls President Trump threat to send National Guard troops to Chicago illegal, “uncoordinated, uncalled for, and unsound,” while Gov. JB Pritzker says it would be

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Hundreds of National Guard soldiers in military fatigues and combat boots mingled with tourists, posed for selfies, and treated themselves to ice cream from food trucks on Thursday along Washington's National Mall,

In President Trump’s second term, many of his most high-profile initiatives have doubled as opportunities to test the loyalty of Republican leaders.

During remarks in the Oval Office, President Trump told reporters he may declare a national emergency in order to keep the National Guard in Washington, D.C. He added that he does not believe believe he will have to take that step after the 30-day deadline.

Trump said on Friday that Chicago will "probably" be the next city to which the administration will deploy federal troops, officers and agents.

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott is calling on President Trump to send more federal law enforcement resources, instead of National Guard officers.