National Guard troops now carrying weapons in D.C.

National Guard Deployment & Crime Rates - National Guard troops patrolling in DC are now armed, with most carrying M17 pistols and a few carrying M4 rifles [1][2] - As of Sunday, over 2,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen were assigned to DC from various states [3] - DC police data indicates a roughly 27% year-over-year decrease in violent crime despite the National Guard deployment [4] Potential Military Deployment to Chicago & Baltimore - The Pentagon has been planning a potential military deployment to Chicago, involving mobilizing at least a few thousand National Guard members as early as next month [4] - President Trump has threatened to send the military into Baltimore to address crime [7] - Trump criticized Maryland's Governor Wes Moore and questioned his military service record [8] Legal & Political Pushback - Chicago's mayor, Brandon Johnson, touted the city's falling crime rate and criticized Trump's threats as unconstitutional and costly [6] - Illinois Governor JB Pritzker accused the president of attempting to manufacture a crisis [7] - Legal challenges are expected if the federal government attempts to exert authority over cities like Chicago and Baltimore, similar to the pushback seen in Los Angeles [15][16][17] Investigation of John Bolton - The FBI searched the home and office of former national security advisor John Bolton, investigating the mishandling of classified information [18] - A source close to Bolton is calling the investigation retribution [20] - Vice President JD Vance denied that the investigation was politically motivated [20]