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US National Guard troops have begun arriving at Washington DC to report for duty after President Donald Trump ordered their presence to address a surge in crime in the national capital.
Members of the National Guard gathered at the headquarters east of the US Capitol, dressed in their military fatigues, as part of the mobilisation exercise to assist local law enforcement agencies.
What will the soldiers do?
The National Guard soldiers, part of the 800-member troops, will be primarily involved in crowd management, perimeter control, security, and providing communications support to law enforcement. In most cases, they are not expected to carry firearms, an official told NBC News.
“Currently, the National Guard is being deployed to protect federal assets, provide a safe environment for law enforcement officers to make arrests and deter violent crime with a visible law enforcement presence,” a White House official said.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that the takeover of Washington, DC’s Metropolitan Police Department will be reevaluated in 30 days.
“As for the timing, we will reevaluate and reassess and make further decisions after this 30-day period is up, but within these 30 days, our entire focus is making sure that this is the most efficient operation possible,” she said.
Over 20 arrests made
More than 20 people have been arrested since the deployment of the National Guard in the capital city. The individuals have been accused of crimes like “homicide, firearms offences, possession with intent to distribute, narcotics, fare evasion, lewd acts, stalking, possession of a high capacity magazine, driving under the influence, reckless driving and a bench warrant,” Leavitt said.
Terry Cole, head of the Drug Enforcement Administration tasked with leading the federal takeover of the city’s police, said patrolling would be ramped up.
Federal agents and police will work “hand in hand” during these patrols, Cole added.
The city’s Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has been forced to accommodate the takeover, said this approach is “the wrong way to do it.”
With inputs from agencies
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