By Jacki Thrapp
Contributing Writer
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will order 500 additional troops to Washington, after two National Guard members were shot just steps away from the White House on Wednesday.
“The shooter shot in a cowardly, dastardly act targeting the best of America,” Hegseth said while speaking to the media on Wednesday.
The two National Guardsmen were performing “high visibility patrols” when a suspect came around the corner, raised a firearm, and fired at them, according to Metropolitan Police Department Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll.
The incident happened two streets north of the White House on 17th Street and I Street.
Hegseth praised the wounded military members for their bravery in the nation’s capital.
“They were willing to do dangerous things — others would not — because they love their fellow Americans,” Hegseth said.
“Someone decided to turn that into targeting National Guardsmen. That will only stiffen our resolve. We will never back down; we will secure our Capitol. We will secure our cities.”
Both National Guardsmen were hospitalized and are in critical condition as of the publication of this story.
The suspect was wounded during what Carroll called a “back and forth” before being arrested and taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Hegseth confirmed that 500 additional troops will be heading to Washington following orders from President Donald Trump, who first sent hundreds of soldiers to the area in August.
“This will only stiffen our resolve to make sure that we make Washington, D.C., safe and beautiful,” Hegseth said.
“The drop in crime has been historic. The increase in safety and security has been historic. But if criminals want to conduct things like this, violence against America’s best, we will never back down. President Trump will never back down. That’s why the American people elected him.”
FBI Director Kash Patel called Wednesday’s incident a “horrendous act of violence” and reiterated the same calls for justice that were made by Mayor Muriel Bowser and Trump.
“The animal that shot the two National Guardsmen, with both being critically wounded, and now in two separate hospitals, is also severely wounded, but regardless, will pay a very steep price,” the president wrote in a Truth Social post on Wednesday.
“God bless our great National Guard, and all of our military and law enforcement. These are truly great people. I, as president of the United States, and everyone associated with the office of the presidency, am with you!”
Bowser wrote on X: “Today’s attack on two members of the West Virginia National Guard was horrific and unconscionable.”
The suspect will be “prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims and their loved ones,” the mayor said.
