DOJ requests 1,500 more National Guard troops for planned DC 'summer surge' [View all]
Source: The Hill
05/15/26 4:07 PM ET
The Trump administration wants another 1,500 National Guard troops deployed to the streets of Washington part of a summer surge of law enforcement to the nations capital ahead of Americas 250th birthday, Justice Department officials announced Friday.
U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta said he requested the extra National Guard troops to grow their presence around the city in anticipation of a surge in visitors for events planned around the Fourth of July.
They will continue to provide presence for high visibility and support across the district, so law enforcement can focus on their duties, Serralta said at a press conference flanked by other Department of Justice (DOJ) officials. High visibility presence reduces response times to crime, provides support to law enforcement on scene and keeps officers and civilians safe.
The additional 1,500 guard members will push the number of such service members patrolling Washington to 5,000. The surge would also include more U.S. park police on foot in vehicles and on horseback through D.C., as well as resources from the FBI, U.S. Marshals and other agencies, Serralta added.
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5880579-nationa-guard-dc-america-250/