The Pentagon said Friday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized National Guard troops patrolling Washington, D.C., to carry their service-issued weapons, reversing earlier guidance that kept the soldiers unarmed. Implementation is expected within days, according to a duty officer. Almost 2,000 Guard members are now deployed in the capital, up from the 800 troops federalized on Aug. 11 when President Donald Trump assumed control of the Metropolitan Police Department in a bid to curb crime, homelessness and illegal immigration. The move coincides with continued reinforcements from several Republican-led states. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who oversees the police force under the federal order, said the operation has led to 719 arrests and the seizure of 91 illegal firearms. Critics argue that arming Guard personnel risks escalating encounters, while the White House maintains the expanded security presence has made the city safer. The Pentagon has not detailed what prompted the policy shift.