Some National Guard units patrolling the US capital at the direction of President Donald Trump have started carrying firearms, an escalation of his military deployment that makes good on a directive issued late last week by his defence secretary.
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A Defence Department official who was not authorised to speak publicly said some units on certain missions would be armed – some with handguns and others with rifles. The official said that all units with firearms had been trained and were operating under strict rules for use of force.
On Sunday, members of the South Carolina National Guard could be seen outside Union Station with holstered handguns.
A statement from the joint task force that has taken over policing in the nation’s capital said units began carrying their service weapons on Sunday and that the military’s rules say force should be used “only as a last resort and solely in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm”.
It said the force was committed to protecting “the safety and well-being” of Washington’s residents.
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The defence official said only troops on certain missions would carry guns, and that would include those patrolling to establish a law enforcement presence throughout the capital. Those working in transport or administration would likely remain unarmed.