News

Pentagon Plans to Keep National Guard Mission in Washington D.C Through End of Trump’s Term

July 17, 2026

The Pentagon is planning to keep a federal National Guard mission in Washington, D.C., in place through January 20, 2029, the end of President Donald Trump’s second term.

The plan was finalized late last year and is awaiting final approval from War Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to two U.S. officials who spoke to ABC News.

Hegseth is widely expected to approve the extension.

Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said there were “no announcements to make at this time” when asked for comment.

Wilson added that the Defense Department remains “committed to supporting the President’s mission to address the epidemic of crime in our Nation’s capital.”

The mission, officially known as the “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful” or “D.C. Safe and Beautiful Mission,” began in August 2025.

It involves National Guard personnel assisting the Metropolitan Police Department and federal partners with public safety, traffic control, monument security, protection of federal facilities, and beautification efforts.

Guard Mission Began in 2025

President Donald Trump initially deployed roughly 800 members of the D.C. National Guard in August 2025 as part of his effort to address crime in the nation’s capital.

The mission was later extended through the end of 2026.

The new plan would keep the federal mission in place through the remainder of Trump’s second term.

Troops have maintained a visible presence across Washington, including at Metro rail stations, downtown areas, and the National Mall.

Their duties have included community safety patrols, traffic control, monument security, federal facility protection, trash collection, landscaping, and graffiti removal.

“The D.C. National Guard remains focused on its mission assisting the Metropolitan Police Department and federal partners with monument security, community safety patrols, and the protection of federal facilities,” a Joint Task Force D.C. spokesperson said. “Our Soldiers continue to provide traffic control and area beautification to safeguard District residents and visitors.”

The spokesperson added that the Defense Department is authorized to mobilize additional forces as needed in coordination with state governors.

Troop Levels Have Varied

Reports have given varying figures for the size of the mission.

ABC News cited approximately 2,865 personnel in March 2026.

Those troops were drawn primarily from Republican-led states including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Oklahoma, along with D.C. National Guard units.

Rotations have reportedly operated on staggered timelines.

Other reports have cited figures around 2,600 personnel or more than 5,000 during later periods.

Some troops have maintained a near-continuous presence since the mission began, while others have served shorter deployments.

The extended mission would continue a major federal role in public safety and security in Washington.

That approach reflects Trump’s broader argument that the nation’s capital should be safer, cleaner, and better protected for residents, workers, and visitors.

🚨 GREAT NEWS: It has just been announced that the National Guard will remain stationed in Washington D.C. until INAUGURATION DAY 2029, at a minimum

Bless these patriots keeping our capital safe 🇺🇸

5,150 troops are ACTIVELY protecting DC, with a 24% plummet in crime since… pic.twitter.com/rfbY3jGwA0

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) July 11, 2026

Crime Drops During Mission

Washington crime data shows a decline during the mission.

D.C. Metropolitan Police data for 2026 year-to-date as of early July showed overall crime down 21 percent compared with the prior year.

Property crime was down 23 percent.

Motor vehicle thefts also dropped substantially.

Specific categories, including robbery, also showed reductions.

Supporters of the mission are likely to point to those numbers as evidence that the federal presence has helped stabilize the city.

The Trump administration has repeatedly argued that Washington’s crime problem demands a stronger federal response because the city is the seat of the national government and hosts millions of visitors each year.

Critics are likely to object to an extended National Guard presence in the capital.

But the administration’s case is straightforward.

Crime is down, federal facilities remain protected, and the mission gives the government a visible security presence in one of the most important cities in the country.

If Hegseth signs off, the National Guard mission will remain in Washington through the end of Trump’s term.