Arkansas National Guard Troops Deployed to Washington, D.C. Amid Ongoing Security Measures

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

Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced 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. “I have no doubt that in this mission, they will show the same skill and discipline that makes them such valuable public servants and will help bring law and order back to the streets of 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, emphasized the troops’ readiness, stating they “bring exceptional training, discipline, and professionalism” and are prepared to integrate with the D.C. National Guard.

Over 2,300 National Guard troops are currently stationed in D.C. as part of President Donald Trump’s directive to bolster law enforcement efforts against crime. The deployment has been extended through February 2026, per a court notice from the Department of Justice.

Legal challenges persist, with U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb hearing arguments over a request to remove National Guard members from Washington streets. No immediate ruling was issued.