Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Pentagon Extends D.C. Guard Deployment Amid Crime Debate

3/21/2026

39 3

Summary

Story summary

The Pentagon plans to extend the National Guard's D.C. deployment through early 2029, pending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's approval.
About 2,500 guardsmen are deployed to aid crime prevention and civic tasks, and crime has fallen 27% since last year.
Local leaders say the deployment fails to reduce crime and infringes D.C.'s autonomy, while the District sues Donald Trump's administration over the plan, which was initially set to end in 2025.

1 of 1

Story summary

The Pentagon plans to extend the National Guard's D.C. deployment through early 2029, pending Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's approval.
About 2,500 guardsmen are deployed to aid crime prevention and civic tasks, and crime has fallen 27% since last year.
Local leaders say the deployment fails to reduce crime and infringes D.C.'s autonomy, while the District sues Donald Trump's administration over the plan, which was initially set to end in 2025.