Trump Administration Poised to Keep 2,400 National Guard Troops in D.C. Through 2026
The Trump administration is poised to keep about 2,400 National Guard troops stationed in Washington, D.C., through 2026, officials say. At the same time, the Pentagon has ordered additional active-duty soldiers to be readied for a possible deployment to Minneapolis, reflecting heightened federal readiness for domestic contingencies.
📌 Key Facts
- A U.S. official told Fox News the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., is likely to be extended through the end of 2026.
- A memo signed by Army Secretary Dan Driscoll on Wednesday says mission conditions warrant an extension beyond February to back Trump’s efforts to "restore law and order."
- There are currently 2,429 Guard troops on the mission: 712 from the D.C. Guard and 1,717 from 11 other states.
- The U.S. Marshals Service and Justice Department say the associated "Make D.C. Safe & Beautiful" task force has made more than 8,400 arrests and seized 856 guns as of Dec. 31.
- Two Guard members were shot during the deployment in November, one of whom, 20‑year‑old Sarah Beckstrom of West Virginia, later died.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
January 21, 2026
January 17, 2026