Hegseth authorizes 2,000 National Guard troops to carry weapons in DC if necessary: US official

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized almost 2,000 National Guard soldiers and airmen to be armed in Washington, D.C. if their mission requires it, a U.S. official confirmed to FOX News. 

"At the direction of the Secretary of Defense, JTF-DC members supporting the mission to lower the crime rate in our nation’s capital will soon be on mission with their service-issued weapons, consistent with their mission and training," a U.S. defense official told FOX News.

The troops could start carrying weapons in the coming days. This move comes as the Trump administration cracks down on crime in the nation's capital.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Rachel Wolf is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and FOX Business.