Pentagon says every national guard troop deployed in Washington DC is now armed'

"I can confirm that everybody in DC is now armed, and a lot of our DC national guardsmen are now also doing joint patrols with members of the police department here in DC, said Kingsley Wilson, the department's press secretary, at a press conference. The directivefollows the ambush shooting of two guard members near the White House last week, an incident that has prompted the Trump administration to order hundreds of additional troops to the city."

"The move to arm all 2,375 estimated troops currently in the capital with an additional 500 ordered last week marks a significant shift in the rules of engagement for domestic military deployments. Although all soldiers in the army national guard complete basic combat training, which includes qualification with standard-issue rifles and sidearms, their ongoing weapons proficiency and tactical training vary widely depending on their military occupational specialty."

All National Guard troops deployed in Washington DC have been armed with live weapons and have begun conducting joint patrols with the local police department. The directive follows an ambush shooting near the White House that wounded two guard members and prompted the administration to order an additional 500 troops, bringing the total to about 2,375. One guard member later died from injuries. The arming marks a significant shift in rules of engagement for domestic deployments. Guard training and weapons proficiency vary by military occupational specialty, and many units serve support roles, raising risks of escalation. A prior order finding the deployment unlawful is on hold.

Read at www.theguardian.com