Two United States National Guard soldiers were shot on Wednesday, just a few blocks from the White House, triggering a primary security response and reigniting political tensions over President Donald Trump’s controversial anti-crime deployment of military personnel to American cities.
The shooting, which unfolded near the busy Farragut West metro station, sent shockwaves through central Washington, D.C., as emergency services raced to the scene and heavily armed officers cordoned off surrounding streets.
Initial reports suggested that the two soldiers — deployed from West Virginia as part of Trump’s expanded National Guard presence — had been critically wounded. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey initially announced that the soldiers had “passed away from their injuries” before later clarifying that “conflicting reports” were emerging from the ground.
President Trump, who was at his Florida golf club at the time, described the suspected shooter as an “animal”, adding that the soldiers were “critically wounded”. He also claimed the gunman, who was severely injured during the incident, would “pay a very steep price”.
Witnesses described chaotic scenes as gunfire rang out in the heart of the US capital.
“We heard gunshots. We were waiting at the traffic light, and there were several shots,” said Angela Perry, 42, who was driving with her two children. “You could see National Guard running toward the metro with their weapons drawn.”
An AFP reporter on the scene heard several loud pops and saw people running before security agents flooded the area. A helicopter circled above as officers with rifles secured the perimeter and emergency workers rushed a casualty dressed in a camouflage uniform into an ambulance.
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The shootings mark the most serious incident involving National Guard troops since Trump began ordering deployments to Democratic-run cities shortly after starting his second term in January. The president has argued that the move is necessary to combat rising urban crime, but critics and several local officials accuse him of militarising civilian spaces and escalating tensions.
Last week, a federal judge ruled Trump’s mass deployment of National Guard forces in Washington unlawful — a decision that has further intensified political debate around the presence of armed troops on US streets.
Although the White House and Pentagon have not released further details on the suspect or the conditions of the injured soldiers, authorities have said the investigation is ongoing.
The incident adds to long-standing concerns about violent crime in parts of Washington, despite heavy federal security around government buildings. With tensions high and legal battles ongoing over the president’s policing strategy, Wednesday’s shooting is expected to deepen scrutiny of the administration’s approach to law enforcement.
