The Pentagon is reportedly planning to keep National Guard troops in Washington D.C. for another three years, despite PresidDonald Trump declaring the city virtually “crime free.”
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is expected to soon sign off on the plan, which would see troops maintain their presence in the U.S. Capitol until the end of the president’s second term in January 2029, sources told ABC News.
“The Department of War is committed to supporting the President’s mission to address the epidemic of crime in our Nation’s capital. There are no announcements to make at this time,” Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson told The Independent in a statement.
The Independent has also contacted the White House for comment.
It comes after Trump boasted during an event Thursday evening, alongside Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, that D.C. was all-but rid of crime, a pledge he has made multiple times previously.
“The prime minister’s visit comes as we’re just days away from the most beautiful season here in Washington, which, by the way, is a crime free city… just about,” he said.
Crime in Washington D.C. has indeed seen a reduction since Trump returned to office. From January 1, 2025 until the beginning of this year, violent crime in the city was down by 29 percent overall.
As of Thursday it had come down another 15 percent. Homicide was down by 63 percent, though assault with a dangerous weapon was up by 31 percent.
According to National Guard data, just under 3,000 National Guard troops are currently deployed in D.C.
ABC News reports the force includes contingents from Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Oklahoma, with units rotating in and out of D.C.
Trump has long obsessed over his clean-up operations in the capital.
In an executive order last year, the president announced the establishment of the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, which would be chaired by the Assistant to the President and Homeland Security Adviser.
“The federal capital city, Washington, D.C., is the only city that belongs to all Americans and that all Americans can claim as theirs. As the capital city of the greatest nation in the history of the world, it should showcase beautiful, clean, and safe public spaces,” the order stated.
“America’s capital must be a place in which residents, commuters, and tourists feel safe at all hours, including on public transit. Its highways, boulevards, and parks should be clean, well-kept, and pleasant.
“Its monuments, museums, and buildings should reflect and inspire awe and appreciation for our Nation’s strength, greatness, and heritage. Our citizens deserve nothing less.”
Heavily armed troops have been a visible presence in Washington D.C. since, patrolling areas including Metro rail stations, downtown and the National Mall. Some also carry out civic duties such as picking up trash, scrubbing graffiti and other landscaping work.
