Hegseth Authorizes Expanded Guard Patrols in Washington

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized expanded National Guard patrol capabilities in Washington, including marked military police cars, tactical vehicles, boats and portable light towers, under two memoranda signed October 29. The orders also allow rifles during some operations, but do not give Guard members independent arrest or pursuit authority. The memoranda permit up to 60 marked military police cars, two patrol boats and 20 portable light towers, along with tactical vehicles. They keep the maximum authorized deployment at 3,500 Guard members. The Associated Press reported that about 3,100 troops were in Washington; another report put the figure at roughly 3,000. The orders describe expanded visibility patrols and support for federal and local law enforcement. Boats can provide perimeter security during operations targeting suspected gang leaders and drug traffickers in Anacostia. A federal law-enforcement officer must be aboard a Guard boat when it supports an operation involving a suspect. Troops cannot independently pursue or arrest suspects, and the patrol cars must be marked as National Guard vehicles, with members in uniform. Rifles are permitted during some...