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Helen Betts | all galleries >> Rediscovering Home >> Washington Rediscovered: Year 10 > They’ll be with us for another year
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02-Dec-2025 Andrew

They’ll be with us for another year

The deployment of more than 2,600 National Guardsmen in DC, due to end in February after once being extended since August, has again been extended for all of 2026. According to The Washington Post, “The mission is expected to continue including armed patrols in support of law enforcement plus a variety of sanitation and beautification projects. … Outside assessments have said the expense to federal taxpayers could be more than $1 million per day.“

As I’ve posted before, there are a number of them on Capitol Hill, tasked with patrolling the streets (although I haven’t seen them on our street for a long time) and protecting the federally owned Lincoln Park. There isn’t really much to do here, so they sometimes gather in front of the coffee shop across the street from the park. At least the Metropolitan Police Department is no longer required to accompany them.

Stormy skies at Lincoln Park, posted earlier:

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Marjan Schavemaker26-Jan-2026 02:20
What a pity to have these guys walking though your streets. Looks like a warzone! V
Dave Petersen Photography19-Jan-2026 14:22
Oh, how our country has changed. I think a lot of this is a shock and awe approach as attempts are being made to move closer to a police state. A nicely taken documentary image but I would be wary if ICE officers were in the vicinity. V
Jola Dziubinska18-Jan-2026 19:02
Sad times... Great documentary shot. V.
Liz Bickel18-Jan-2026 06:11
At least until after Midterms. Hopefully, not longer...I wouldn't feel super comfortable seeing this, while on a walk with the dog. However, Andrew is getting some good shots.
Don Mottershead18-Jan-2026 01:35
Hard to believe that this is the state of things.
Dennis Hoyne18-Jan-2026 01:30
Well one guy took things into his own hands and shot a couple of them.
Julie Oldfield18-Jan-2026 01:00
Great documentary photo of what looks like a dystopian police state. V
Don17-Jan-2026 23:41
A double negative: climate of fear, and at great expense. And for what?
globalgadabout17-Jan-2026 21:39
troops in the streets sends out a frightening message...no wonder tourist visitations are dramatically down...anxiety must be high stateside..
Carl Carbone17-Jan-2026 18:53
But just think how extra safe you are!
Raymond17-Jan-2026 18:36
... and three years to go! From outside the US ... wow, the US is totally isolating itself from all its allies ... and as we say, when the trust is gone ... So sad to see all that ...
Kuriacose Joseph17-Jan-2026 17:07
Hopefully, these guys keep their cool unlike the guys from some other agencies. Take care!
Gerard KOEHL17-Jan-2026 17:05
C'est triste, mais avec votre président, il faut s'attendre à tout. V
Bill Klein17-Jan-2026 17:00
Hate to think what's next :( I agree with Jeff-keep on documenting! V!
janescottcumming17-Jan-2026 16:34
Where are they housing all these guys? Good documentary photo. V
joseantonio17-Jan-2026 16:28
thank you for your reports on this.V.
laine17-Jan-2026 16:00
What a world we are living in, Helen. :(
Jeff Real17-Jan-2026 15:58
This makes me very tense!
Keep on documenting.
V