Trump Administration Deploys Military Attorneys and Armed National Guard in D.C. Amid Crime Crackdown

Washington, D.C. – The Trump administration has taken significant steps to address crime in the nation's capital, deploying military attorneys to prosecute civilian cases and equipping National Guard troops with firearms. These actions are part of a broader federal initiative to combat crime in Washington, D.C., and have drawn both support and criticism.

Twenty members of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps, the legal branch of the U.S. military, have been assigned to the U.S. Attorney's Office in D.C. to prosecute civilian misdemeanor crimes. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated, "The assignment of 20 JAGs to my office is further proof of President Trump’s commitment to fighting and reducing crime in the district." This move comes as Pirro's office has reportedly faced staffing shortages, with numerous federal prosecutors having been fired or resigned.

Simultaneously, the National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., as part of the federal crackdown will now be equipped with firearms. Approximately 800 National Guard troops have been deployed to the city, alongside federal law enforcement, since President Trump federalized D.C. police on August 11. The administration reports that since the initiative began, 630 people have been arrested, and there have been no homicides in D.C. since August 13.

The deployment of military personnel in these roles has sparked debate, with some drawing historical parallels. The tweet from Brian Krassenstein highlighted this sentiment, stating, > "Two incredibly authoritarian-like actions were just announced by the Trump administration moments ago: 1) They just MOBILIZED MILITARY ATTORNEYS to help prosecute the civilians in Washington, DC. The only other time has happened was during martial law and during civil war reconstruction. 2) Starting this evening the National Guard in Washington DC will be equipped with firearms."

While military attorneys typically handle cases within the armed forces, Congress authorized JAG lawyers to serve as special assistant U.S. attorneys in 1983, allowing them to prosecute civilian cases. Historically, the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement roles, particularly in prosecuting civilians, is rare outside of periods like martial law or the Civil War Reconstruction era. The Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 generally prohibits the use of the U.S. military for domestic law enforcement purposes, though exceptions exist for specific statutory authorizations or emergencies.

The administration's actions have been met with varied responses. While proponents emphasize the need to reduce crime and bolster law enforcement resources, critics, including some city leaders, view these measures as an overreach of federal power and a potential erosion of civil liberties. Mayors of other major U.S. cities have expressed concerns about similar federal interventions in their jurisdictions, with some describing the D.C. situation as a "test case" for expanding the military's role in domestic affairs.