CATO Institute stories

Nov 5, 2026

Hegseth expands National Guard DC patrols with military vehicles and boats amid impeachment threats

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorized the National Guard to expand its presence in Washington D.C. with military tactical vehicles, Humvees, and patrol boats, even as House Democrats floated impeachment and calls for his removal mounted after the midterm losses.

Nov 5, 20266 sources

Top claims

▪National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. lack arrest powers and have primarily conducted neighborhood visibility patrols, trash pickup, leaf raking, and homeless encampment clearings
▪The Pentagon maintained the maximum deployment cap for National Guard members in Washington, D.C. at 3,500, with nearly 3,100 troops actively deployed as of November 2026
▪National Guard troops operating patrol boats in Washington, D.C. are authorized for perimeter security during anti-gang operations in Anacostia, provided federal officers are on board to execute arrests

Topics

National security Judiciary Law enforcement U.S. Department of Defense Washington D.C.Democrats’ impeachment strategy Pete Hegseth Pete Hegseth impeachment effort Democrats take back Congress Trump administration Federal agencies National Guard

Related entities

United States