National Guard troops deployed to patrol the streets of Washington, D.C., have begun carrying firearms in an escalation of President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of the nation’s capital

U.S. National Guard troops patrolling the streets of Washington D.C. as part of what President Donald Trump said was his crackdown on crime will begin carrying weapons on Sunday night, two officials said.

National Guard members are now carrying firearms in Washington, D.C., raising concerns from civil rights groups and residents in the nation’s capital that armed troops could escalate growing tensions as Donald Trump’s federal takeover enters a third week.