Hegseth deploys 500 additional National Guard in | Political News

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the “cowardly” taking pictures of two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C., will only stiffen our resolve and announced that President Trump has requested him to deploy 500 additional troops to Washington, D.C.

In his assertion, Hegseth reiterated the Trump administration’s claims that deploying the National Guard to the capital has resulted in a “historic” drop in crime.

National Guard troops had been deployed to Washington, D.C. earlier this 12 months as half of the Trump administration’s sweeping crime crackdown. President Trump deployed more than 2,200 National Guard troopers to DC.

Just yesterday, Trump claimed, “We haven’t had a murder in six months” in the nation’s capital. The Associated Press claimed that was false, and that there have been 62 homicides in Washington since May 25, including one last week, according to the MPD.

Hegseth called the troops “brave”, “heroes,” and the “best of America.” FBI director Kash Patel confirmed that both National Guard troops stay in a essential condition in the hospital.

Earlier, West Virginia governor Patrick Morrisey had said both had been lifeless, before climbing back due to “conflicting” data. President Donald Trump issued his own assertion on Truth Social, slamming the shooter as an “animal”

“The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price,” President Trump wrote. “God bless our Great National Guard, and all of our Military and Law Enforcement.”

“These are truly Great People. I, as President of the United States, and everyone associated with the Office of the Presidency, am with you!” It was reported that the taking pictures occurred one mile from the White House. 

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The incident was first reported around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday and occurred close to the Farragut West Metro Station in Downtown Washington, D.C.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem shared a tweet just a few moments later, writing, “Please join me in praying for the two National Guardsmen who were just shot moments ago in Washington D.C. @DHSgov is working with local law enforcement to gather more information.”

“The DC Police Department verified the shooting on X shortly after it happened, stating, “Critical Incident: MPD is on the scene of a taking pictures at seventeenth and I Street, NW. Please keep away from the realm. Updates to come.” At 3 pm, they provided another update saying, “The scene is secured. One suspect is in custody.”