BISMARCK, N.D. – Around 60 North Dakota National Guard soldiers will be sent to Washington, DC next month to help increase safety in our nation’s capital.
“Safeguarding the citizens, federal workers and elected leaders in our nation’s capital is a matter of national security, and we appreciate these Soldiers volunteering for this important mission,” Gov. Kelly Armstrong said. “We know they will represent our state with the skill and professionalism that military leaders everywhere have come to expect from the North Dakota National Guard.”
Most Soldiers are from the 131st Military Police Battalion headquartered in Bismarck. North Dakota National Guard Officials believe the mission will last three months.
“I am extremely proud of our Soldiers who took on this mission,” U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general said. “They will assist the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department and Federal law enforcement partners. Our North Dakotans will be part of a great team with fellow Guardsmen from other states.”
This is all part of an initiative that started in August 2025 when President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia.
