Hegseth Swears In Guard Troops To Clean Up D.C. As ‘Safe And Beautiful’ Mission Continues
Secretary of War Pete Hegseth administered the oath of enlistment to over 100 National Guard troops on Monday, standing before the Washington Monument in a display of strength and resolve. The ceremony marked a major milestone for the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, launched after President Donald Trump declared a “crime emergency” in August 2025.
The soldiers, hailing from nine states including Alabama, Florida, and Oklahoma, are part of a 2,600-member federal force deployed to Washington to restore order and security. Hegseth praised the operation as a “historic success,” crediting the task force for transforming the city from “lawlessness and graffiti” to a “national symbol of order.”
The mission features a dual-track approach. First, an aggressive security posture led by Guard units like Task Force Yellow Hammer and Joint Task Force Magnolia. These teams have joined with local and federal law enforcement to patrol neighborhoods and transit hubs, including troubled areas like Foggy Bottom. Second, a robust urban cleanup effort has cleared over 500 tons of trash and kept public spaces—including federal landmarks—clear of snow and debris.
Hegseth highlighted a surge in recruitment, but pointed to retention as the true measure of success. “When you reenlist, it means we are doing things the right way,” he said. Troops involved in the mission expressed pride in their work, including Master Sgt. Michael E. Eschenfelder, who noted the shift from disaster response to urban operations was met with public gratitude. “People tell us they can feel that everything is relaxing,” he said.
The ceremony also paid tribute to the fallen. Hegseth announced Purple Hearts would be awarded to Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, posthumously, and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe, both wounded in a November 2025 ambush at a D.C. Metro station. The attack reinforced the administration’s argument for a federal security presence, even as local officials challenge the mission in court over alleged violations of “Home Rule.”
Despite the pushback, the War Department remains committed. With the country nearing its 250th anniversary, Hegseth declared the presence of uniformed defenders in the capital fitting. “This is what Washington deserves,” he said. The mission has officially been extended through at least February 28, 2026.