Some members of the National Guard deployed to Washington, D.C., are picking up trash and working on the “beautification” of the nation’s capital as part of President Trump’s federalization of the city’s law enforcement to crack down on crime.
Over the weekend, the D.C. National Guard shared a video of troops hauling garbage bags and cleaning up benches.
“This week, Soldiers and Airmen conducted site surveys in coordination with federal and local partners to begin community restoration projects,” the D.C. National Guard said in a Saturday post on the social platform X.
Since Trump ordered the National Guard to aid law enforcement and local police in curbing crime in Washington, officials have arrested nearly 1,200 people and seized more than 120 firearms, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi.
In recent days, National Guard members have been photographed picking up leaves around the Tidal Basin and discarding soda bottles.
“I think it’s nice, as a D.C. resident. But there are different things we could be doing,” one National Guard member told The Washington Post in a piece published Wednesday morning.
More than 2,200 National Guard troops from various states, including Mississippi and West Virginia, have been deployed to the nation’s capital in recent days to help tackle crime. It is unclear how many National Guard troops in Washington have been performing custodial work.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said on Wednesday that the administration would take over the management of Union Station.
“Instead of being a point of pride, Washington’s Union Station has fallen into disrepair,” Duffy said. “By reclaiming station management, we will help make this city safe and beautiful at a fraction of the cost.”
