Trump’s Defense Sec orders more Troop’s for the Nation’s Capitol….

Hmmmm?

Crime?

Or?

‘Show’?

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the National Guard to begin using boats, several dozen marked police cars, humvees and light medium tactical vehicles in the nation’s capital — an escalation of the troops’ presence that could further blur the line between their military and law enforcement role.

It’s not clear why the Trump administration is making the move now. The Oct. 29 memo obtained by POLITICO detailing the expansion doesn’t provide any further details beyond doubling down on Trump’s plan to use the National Guard to crack down on what he’s called a “crime emergency”in the nation’s capital.

The beefed-up presence, which will be in place through the end of the year, would see members of the National Guard driving vehicles typically used by U.S. troops on battlefields like Iraq and Afghanistan on city streets to support law enforcement officers making drug busts, though they are not allowed to pursue suspects or make arrests.

The boats will conduct “perimeter security” for police conducting operations against suspected gang leaders and drug traffickers in Anacostia, the southeastern corner of the nation’s capital, the memo stated, but will not conduct surveillance on U.S. citizens. Hegseth stated that federal officers “must always be on board” Guard vessels “to help arrest a criminal suspect,” including those who might try to evade law enforcement by jumping into the river….

…

Much of the Guard work has been focused on beautification projects, drawing complaints from Democratic lawmakers that the military mobilization has been inefficient and unnecessary.

The Council of the District of Columbia’s public safety committee held a hearing Thursday on the continued Guard presence, where local leaders voiced concerns about their patrols creating a sense of intimidation and military control throughout neighborhoods.

Defense Department officials told Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in August that Guard deployments are expected to cost about $1.4 billion through the end of 2028….

More…