Arkansas National Guard Troops Deploy to Washington, D.C. Amid Ongoing Security Efforts

By Solange Reyner | Monday, 03 November 2025 03:48 PM EST

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced Monday that Army National Guard troops from the state will travel to Washington, D.C., following the Thanksgiving holiday. “Arkansas’ Guardsmen are there when we need them — whether it’s to deploy overseas, help secure the Southern Border, respond to a natural disaster, or keep our nation’s capital safe,” Sanders said in a statement. She emphasized that the troops would “show the same skill and discipline that makes them such valuable public servants” and assist in restoring “law and order” to Washington, D.C.

The soldiers will conduct “security presence patrols and provide law enforcement support in designated areas,” according to the statement. Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, adjutant general of Arkansas, highlighted the 100 troops’ “exceptional training, discipline, and professionalism,” stating they would be prepared to integrate with the D.C. National Guard.

Over 2,300 National Guard troops are currently stationed in the District under President Donald Trump’s order to aid local and federal law enforcement in combating crime. The deployment has been extended through February, as noted in a Department of Justice court notice citing an order from the U.S. Department of War.

Legal challenges persist, with a federal judge considering a request to remove National Guard members from Washington streets. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb, a Biden appointee, did not issue a ruling immediately after hearing arguments Oct. 24.