Overview
- Two U.S. officials say the plan to sustain the federal Guard mission in Washington is complete and expected to be signed, while the Pentagon says there are no announcements.
- About 2,865 Guard members are currently deployed in the city, largely from Republican-led states, rotating through assignments.
- The operation, launched in August 2025 as “Make D.C. Safe and Beautiful,” pairs armed patrols in transit hubs and downtown with cleanup and landscaping duties.
- District leaders are pursuing a lawsuit challenging the federalized deployment, as prior court rulings curtailed similar city missions even though D.C.’s legal status gives the president broader authority.
- Police data show crime has fallen since 2025, even as the force has absorbed risks, including a November shooting that killed Spc. Sarah Beckstrom and seriously wounded another guardsman.