Defense Secretary Hegseth has signed an order allowing Guard troops in D.C. to be armed. The authority is expected to be acted upon in coming days.

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Joseph Ax WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Top Trump administration officials on Wednesday thanked troops deployed in the nation's capital and blasted demonstrators opposed to the aggressive anti-crime efforts as "stupid white hippies.

The White House said there have been 630 arrests, including 251 people who are in the country illegally, since Trump began ordering federal agents into the city.

The Pentagon has not commented on the reason for the change, but it comes as the Trump administration concentrates on reducing crime in the nation's capital.

WASHINGTON (AP) — A National Guard vehicle collided with a civilian car less than a mile from the U.S. Capitol on Thursday morning as troops continued to take up positions around the city during President Donald Trump’s crackdown.

The Pentagon and the Army said last week that troops would not carry guns. The new guidance is that they will carry their service-issued weapons.