Hegseth adds more Humvees, patrol cars, boats to DC National Guard law enforcement ‘support’ mission
Source: Task & Purpose
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The Pentagon is escalating the National Guard’s support of law enforcement in Washington, D.C. — granting them the use of dozens of marked patrol cars, military tactical vehicles, and boats, officials with the task force in charge confirmed to Task & Purpose.
The new authorizations were detailed in an Oct. 29 memo signed by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The memo was originally reported by Politico and confirmed by Task & Purpose.
The October guidance authorizes the National Guard to use up to 60 marked patrol cars, military tactical vehicles, including Humvees and light medium tactical vehicles — utility trucks used by the military for hauling cargo and transporting personnel — and up to 20 light towers and generators, and D.C. National Guard maritime boat assets. Officials with Joint Task Force – District of Columbia said that the additional equipment is to be used “in support of federal and local law enforcement operations.”
“The Secretary of War has authorized the continued use of National Guard personnel and capabilities in support of the Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful mission,” said officials with the task force, which oversees the multi-state deployment of troops in the capital.
The memo specifies the authorities that guardsmen have with the new capabilities and their limits — like wearing their military uniforms and being “clearly” distinguishable from civilian law enforcement. The memo also emphasizes that service members still cannot make arrests, but that they can temporarily detain someone while local law enforcement is alerted.
According to the guidance, service members manning one of the new patrol boats will help with “perimeter security” and protect law enforcement conducting “operations against gang leaders or drug traffickers in the vicinity of Anacostia Park,” in southeast Washington. The guardsmen cannot fire their service-issued weapons on the boats and a federal officer must be present on the patrol boat to help with any arrest.
Guardsmen are not allowed to be issued bayonets, share equipment with law enforcement, conduct intel operations, or employ helicopters or other air assets.
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The new assets further heighten the Guard’s law enforcement capacity in Washington. Early on in the mission, Pentagon officials emphasized that the National Guard would assist local law enforcement, and that legal limits would restrict what exactly they were allowed to do in that capacity.
In August 2025, President Donald Trump mobilized hundreds of guardsmen from across the U.S. to help fight crime in the nation’s capital. The number of guardsmen deployed to the Washington, D.C., mission has ebbed and flowed in the last year.
Over the summer, guard members tasked with providing extra security for the America 250 celebrations left, and the total number dropped by more than 600. As of Thursday, 3,084 National Guardsmen are assigned to the ongoing mission.
The post Hegseth adds more Humvees, patrol cars, boats to DC National Guard law enforcement ‘support’ mission appeared first on Task & Purpose.
Classification
Region
North America
Analytical Domain
Strategic
Primary Category / Secondary Categories
Political-Military / Military Operations
SALUTE Report
Size
3,084 National Guardsmen, up to 60 marked patrol cars, military tactical vehicles including Humvees, and up to 20 light towers and generators
Activity
The Pentagon is escalating the National Guard’s support of law enforcement in Washington, D.C., by granting them additional equipment for law enforcement operations.
Location
Washington, D.C. · Anacostia Park
Unit
National Guard, Joint Task Force – District of Columbia
Time
October 29, 2023
Equipment
marked patrol carsmilitary tactical vehiclesHumveeslight medium tactical vehiclesutility truckslight towersgeneratorsmaritime boat assets
Summary
The Pentagon authorized the National Guard to enhance law enforcement support in Washington, D.C., by deploying additional equipment including 60 marked patrol cars and Humvees. As of October 29, 2023, 3,084 Guardsmen are assigned to assist local law enforcement, particularly in operations around Anacostia Park. The Guardsmen are restricted from making arrests but can temporarily detain individuals while local law enforcement is notified.
Key Facts
- The Pentagon authorized the National Guard to use additional equipment for law enforcement in D.C.
- Up to 60 marked patrol cars and military tactical vehicles are included in the new authorizations.
- 3,084 National Guardsmen are currently assigned to the mission in Washington, D.C.
- Guardsmen are restricted from making arrests but can temporarily detain individuals.
- The operation focuses on perimeter security and support against gang leaders and drug traffickers.