Waiting For Trump Command, National Guard Soldiers Standby In Washington Not Carrying Weapons

US troops at the Lincoln Memorial area of the US Capital Washington Monument. (Clay Banks-Unsplash)

JAKARTA - US President Donald Trump has officially activated National Guard troops to eradicate crime in the capital Washington DC.

Soldiers at the federal level consisting of US military reserve components elements of the Army and Air Force have been on standby at the Washington Monument since Tuesday this week, pending Trump's orders.

The deployment of National Guard soldiers in US territory is legal to a certain time limit. The US president is the highest command holder in the deployment.

However, the duty of the National Guard is limited to the protection of federal personnel and federal property. Except, the US President stated that there had been an uprising, which has never happened until now.

However, it is not clear why Trump has been alerted by the National Guard at the Washington Monument. The area is known to consist of museums, monuments, and expanses of grass. Also known as a relatively safe location and attracts the interest of tourist visits and school groups.

US Army spokesman Colonel Dave Butler said the Trump-ruled National Guard was to help local law enforcement provide logistical support, transportation, and administrative duties.

"It's part of our duty to go to the [ Washington Monument] national monument and attend," he told ABC News, Wednesday, August 13.

Butler added that the National Guard on standby in Washington was not armed. However, it is expected to be allowed to use it under certain circumstances.

On Monday this week, Trump announced he would take over the Washington DC Police Department and activate National Guard troops. Trump said it was for the sake of a mission to crush crimes in Washington DC which he thought had increased.

"There is something out of control," Trump said in a press conference referring to claims of crimes spreading in DC.

"But we will soon control it, as we did on the southern border. I announce historic measures to save our nation's capital from crime, bloodshed, chaos, collapse, and even worse things. This is a day of release in DC, and we will reclaim our capital city," Trump continued.