DOJ seeks 1,500 more National Guardsmen for D.C. for 250th anniversary

President Donald Trump first deployed the National Guard to D.C. last year in a bid to crack down on crime and illegal immigration in the city.

Published: May 15, 2026 4:24pm

The Department of Justice has sought the deployment of an additional 1,500 National Guardsmen to Washington, D.C., to prepare for the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding.

U.S. Marshals Director Gadyaces Serralta announced the deployment on Friday, The Hill reported. The additional troops would bring the total D.C. troop presence to 5,000.

President Donald Trump first deployed the National Guard to D.C. last year in a bid to crack down on crime and illegal immigration in the city.

Reporting has suggested the troop presence will continue through the remainder of the Trump administration.

During the same Friday press conference, Serralta touted the success of the D.C. Safe Task Force in cracking down on crime in the city, highlighting a 35% drop in murder and noteworthy declines in overall violent crime.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.

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