Washington: The National Guard made its presence known in Washington, DC on Tuesday in response to a directive from US President Donald Trump aimed at addressing crime in the nation's capital.

According to Anadolu Agency, the army announced the activation of the DC National Guard under Title 32, as directed by Trump, to support federal and local law enforcement efforts. This move follows Trump's announcement on Monday placing the capital's police under federal control and deploying the National Guard to tackle what he described as a "public safety emergency."

The Pentagon confirmed that 800 soldiers have been activated, with 100 to 200 of them supporting law enforcement through various roles, including administrative and logistical tasks, as well as providing a physical presence to aid law enforcement agencies.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, speaking to Fox News, acknowledged Trump's decisive action to federalize the police force, which he claimed "do not work." Hegseth emphasized the National Guard's role as "force multipliers" working alongside law enforcement partners. He assured that while the Guard is authorized under Title 32, they would not engage in law enforcement functions such as detaining Americans on US soil.

Hegseth further clarified that the National Guard troops would stand in solidarity with federal agents, reminiscent of their deployment in Los Angeles. He warned of consequences for any aggressive actions directed at the Guard, underscoring the commitment to protect DC citizens and the personnel themselves.

Previously, in June, President Trump ordered the deployment of 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles amid protests. This decision was made despite opposition from California's Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who expressed concerns that the deployment could exacerbate existing tensions.