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National Guard units deployed in Washington, D.C., as part of the Trump administration’s effort to slash violent crime have been authorized to carry firearms, the D.C. National Guard has announced — and some troops have already been observed armed on patrol.

The Guard said on Saturday it had formally authorized members supporting Joint Task Force–DC to carry their service-issued M17 pistols.

Brig. Gen. Leland D. Blanchard, the Guard’s interim commander, said the decision came at the direction of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and in coordination with local and federal law enforcement. The Guard stressed that the weapons are for personal protection and that troops operate under strict rules for use of force, including de-es

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