National Guard troops have begun patrolling Washington DC following President Donald Trump’s order to deploy forces to the city and assume control of its police department, citing concerns over violent crime.
Armoured vehicles were seen near tourist sites and downtown areas on Tuesday evening.
Authorities expect around 800 Guard members and 500 federal law enforcement officers to be active in the capital.
The move drew criticism from DC Mayor Muriel Bowser, who called it an attack on the city’s autonomy. Trump has also warned of similar deployments to New York and Chicago.
Troops have been setting up barricades at federal buildings and interacting with visitors.
Federal agents reported arresting 23 people on Monday night for crimes including homicide, weapons charges, drug trafficking, and reckless driving.
Officials said FBI personnel were involved in about half of these arrests.
While Bowser and Police Chief Pamela Smith acknowledged the extra resources could help combat illegal guns, the mayor later urged residents to oppose what she described as federal overreach.
The deployment comes after a fatal shooting in Logan Circle, one mile from the White House, marking the city’s 100th homicide this year.
Police are searching for a suspect last seen carrying a rifle.
Official data shows violent crime in DC dropped 35% last year to a three-decade low, while FBI figures show a smaller 9% decline. Some police union officials have questioned the accuracy of local statistics.