National Guard members tell NPR they're 'embarrassed' about time spent patrolling D.C.

NPR · 1:01

257,851 views · 14,909 likes · Aug 24, 2026

Thousands of armed National Guard troops have been patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., for more than a year — and NPR has some rare insight into how some of the guard members are feeling about it.⁠
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Three guard members who each spent many months on the D.C. mission spoke candidly to NPR on the condition of anonymity, as they are not authorized to speak publicly. One said, "I will say, ver…

Thousands of armed National Guard troops have been patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., for more than a year — and NPR has some rare insight into how some of the guard members are feeling about it.⁠
⁠
Three guard members who each spent many months on the D.C. mission spoke candidly to NPR on the condition of anonymity, as they are not authorized to speak publicly. One said, "I will say, ver…

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