Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has authorized the National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., to carry their service-issued weapons, according to a defense official.

“At the direction of the Secretary of Defense, JTF-DC members supporting the mission to lower the crime rate in our Nation’s capital will soon be on mission with their service-issued weapons, consistent with their mission and training,” the official told the Washington Examiner on Friday.

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“The Interim Commanding General of the D.C. National Guard retains the authority to make any necessary force posture adjustments in coordination with the D.C. Metropolitan Police and Federal law enforcement partners,” the defense official continued. “The D.C. National Guard remains committed to safeguarding the District of Columbia and serving those who live, work, and visit the District.”

The official declined to specify when the National Guard troops would begin carrying their weapons.

The troops can support law enforcement officials but are not permitted to make arrests. Hegseth noted last week that he would “have their back to ensure they can take the necessary action to protect citizens of D.C. and to protect themselves.”

President Donald Trump visited National Guard personnel at the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility on Thursday, a day after Vice President JD Vance and Hegseth visited troops at Union Station.

“You got to be strong, you got to be tough,” Trump told service members. “You got to do your job. Whatever it takes to do your job.”

Earlier this month, Trump announced an aggressive crackdown on crime in Washington, which included the National Guard and the federal government taking over D.C. police operations.

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Trump initially ordered 800 members of the D.C. National Guard to report to active duty. Six GOP governors, from Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio, South Carolina, and Mississippi, have deployed hundreds of troops to Washington to assist in the mission.

The force in the district is nearly 2,000 service members.