Defense Secretary Hegseth authorizes 2K National Guard troops to carry arms in DC

(WASHINGTON) -- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed an order authorizing the latest National Guard troops to arrive in Washington, D.C. to carry weapons if their mission requires it, according to a person familiar with the matter.

In a visit to Guard personnel on Thursday, President Donald Trump suggested the military personnel would be playing a larger role in law enforcement in the city.

ABC News' Karen Travers and Arthur Jones contributed to this report.