Hegseth expands National Guard role in Washington as Trump vows to keep him

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., to use boats, marked police cars, Humvees and light tactical vehicles, Politico reported, escalating the military's role in the capital. The move came as President Trump said he has "every intention" of keeping Hegseth despite mounting pressure after the GOP's midterm losses.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the National Guard in Washington, D.C., to begin using boats, several dozen marked police cars, Humvees and light medium tactical vehicles, Politico reported on Thursday. The outlet called it an escalation "that could further blur the line between their military and law enforcement role" and said it was "not clear why the Trump administration is making the move now."

Under the order, Guard members will support police operations targeting drug traffickers and gangs, but they cannot make arrests or pursue suspects themselves, according to the report. The expanded presence will remain in place through the end of 2026.

Boats on the Anacostia

According to Politico's reporting, Guard boats will help secure the area during operations against suspected gang leaders and drug dealers around the Anacostia neighborhood in southeast Washington. The document says the boats will not be used to monitor U.S. citizens. Each boat will carry federal law enforcement officers, who will be responsible for detaining suspects, including any who try to escape by river.

National Guard members on patrol on a Washington street with the Capitol dome in the background

The Guard mission in the capital began in the summer of 2025, when Trump issued an emergency order launching a law enforcement surge he said was meant to fight crime. The Pentagon later extended the deployment until Jan. 20, 2029, "or until terminated by the President." A Defense Department estimate provided to Congress put the cost at roughly $1.4 billion through January 2029, assuming an average of 2,500 Guard members in the city, the Associated Press reported in August. Their numbers surged to about 5,000 this summer as the city marked the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Unlike in states, where courts have limited Guard deployments, the president is the direct commander of the D.C. National Guard. Democrats have long accused the administration of militarizing the capital's streets. "The National Guard are not pawns and taxpayer dollars are not a piggy bank for Trump's political stunts," Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in August.

"I have every intention to keep him"

The expansion comes as Hegseth fights for his job. In an interview with ABC News' Jonathan Karl on Thursday morning, Trump stood by him. "I have every intention to keep him," the president said. "I get these calls, you know, about him. I don't understand why."

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth at a Cabinet meeting

Trump did not name the callers. He also acknowledged that it would be easier to confirm a new Pentagon chief before Democrats take control of the Senate in January, The Hill reported. Republicans now hold a 53-47 majority, while Democrats have already secured 54 seats in the next Senate and could pick up another in Alaska. On Wednesday, Trump said Hegseth was "doing a very good job" and would be "very popular" if he ran for the Tennessee Senate seat being vacated by Marsha Blackburn, who won the governor's race.

The Pentagon insists he is staying. "Secretary Hegseth is 100% committed to leading the Department until the end of President Trump's term in office," chief spokesman Sean Parnell said, adding that the department would keep driving Trump's agenda "despite threats of sham witch hunts from Democrats."

"Why is Pete Hegseth still around?"

Democrats, who will run both chambers from January, are already circling. "Why is Pete Hegseth still around?" House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, expected to become speaker, wrote on social media on Thursday. Some Republicans are also turning on him: retiring Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina has nudged Trump to replace Hegseth while the GOP still controls the Senate, the New York Post reported, and Rep. Thomas Massie plans to force a House impeachment vote as soon as next week.

Pete Hegseth speaks as President Trump listens during a meeting

Behind the scenes, the picture is murkier. White House officials told CNN that Trump still personally likes Hegseth and believes he should fight back against Democratic attacks, but has privately sought feedback on his performance as some senior advisers and Cabinet officials grow more critical of him over the Iran war. White House insiders gave a similar account to the New York Post, while cautioning that his ouster is far from certain. "Somebody has to own this," a person close to the administration told the Post.

Photos: Clash Report / X; The National Guard / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Have a story, event or announcement of your own?Send us your news on WhatsApp

Spotted an error in this story?Report it on WhatsApp

Share on all social platforms