U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping new measures to tighten security in Washington, D.C., a day after National Guard troops began carrying weapons in the capital. In an executive order on Monday, Trump instructed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to establish a specialized unit within the Guard “dedicated to ensuring public safety and order.” He also ordered the hiring of additional U.S. Park Police and more federal prosecutors to handle violent and property crime cases, reinforcing his crackdown on what he calls out-of-control crime in the city.

Earlier this month, Trump authorized the deployment of more than 2,200 National Guard members to Washington. On Sunday, they began patrolling armed with M17 pistols and M4 rifles, with strict instructions to use them only as a last resort. The troops come from both Washington, D.C., and Republican-led states including West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. In addition to the Guard, more U.S. Park Police officers are being hired to bolster patrols across the city.

Federal Enforcement And Custody Orders

Trump’s executive orders also targeted judicial processes. He directed law enforcement to detain suspects in federal custody “to the fullest extent permissible” and pursue federal charges wherever possible. At the same time, federal agencies such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations have ramped up their presence on Washington’s streets, working alongside the Metropolitan Police Department.

The heightened military and federal presence has sparked protests from residents and civil rights groups, who criticized what they see as the militarization of the capital. Armed patrols by National Guard units have been spotted at landmarks including Lafayette Square, Metro Center, and Union Station. Despite criticism, Trump insists that his measures have restored order and will continue until crime is “brought under control.”