Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth revealed that President Donald Trump had ordered him to deploy an additional 500 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., after two soldiers were shot on Wednesday.
"Myself and my team were notified that two National Guardsmen have been shot in Washington, D.C. critically wounded," Hegseth told reporters. "The shooter shot in a cowardly, dastardly act targeting the best of America, heroes willing to serve in Washington, D.C., serve for people they don't know and they've never met because they love their country, their capital, and their community."
"That will only stiffen our resolve," he insisted. "We will never back down. We will secure our capital. We will secure our cities."
"And that's why President Trump has asked me, and I will ask the Secretary of the Army to the National Guard, to add 500 additional troops, National Guardsmen, to Washington, D.C. This will only stiffen our resolve to ensure that we make Washington, D.C., safe and beautiful."
