Hundreds more National Guard troops are arriving in Washington, D.C., ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary this summer, the Department of Justice announced on Friday.
The planned “summer surge,” as DOJ officials described the increased law enforcement presence, will include an additional 1,500 National Guard troops, bringing the total number to 5,000.
The news was announced by U.S. Marshals Service Director Gadyaces Serralta, who appeared at a press conference alongside U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro.
The DOJ is spearheading the public safety effort in coordination with the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, which President Donald Trump established in a March 2025 executive order.
Last summer, the federal government deployed the National Guard to D.C. to reduce crime rates. Pirro touted the success of that initiative on Friday.
“Since the launch of the coordinated operations on Aug. 7, 2025, this engagement has become one of [the largest], if not the largest, modern joint law enforcement collaborations in history,” Pirro said.
“I will continue to use all of my powers to make sure that we use every tool available in our arsenal to make the arrests that are being conducted by these agencies stick and get convictions,” she said.
The federal district’s top prosecutor then turned her attention to a problem that has plagued the city for some time: “teen takeovers.”
Teenagers have disrupted certain D.C. areas, particularly the Navy Yard neighborhood, by gathering together in the middle of the night and partaking in chaos, vandalism, or violence. Mayor Muriel Bowser has repeatedly tried solving the problem with youth curfews, but the D.C. Council has been more hesitant to back the mayor’s vision.
To address the issue, Pirro warned parents who are “contributing to the delinquency of a minor” will be prosecuted under D.C. law if their children are found to have participated in teenage takeovers.
“This statute makes it unlawful for an adult to enable, facilitate or permit a minor to engage in delinquent acts,” she said. “The penalty is up to six months imprisonment.”
In a direct message to D.C. parents, the U.S. attorney said, “You must supervise your kids, or face criminal consequences.”
Friday’s announcement comes as the district prepares for numerous America 250 events. While the bulk of the festivities will be closer to July 4, the nation’s capital is hosting a nine-hour “Rededicate 250” prayer jubilee on the National Mall this Sunday and the Memorial Day Parade on Constitution Avenue next weekend.
Other notable events include the White House UFC fight on June 15, Freedom 250’s “Great American State Fair” from June 25 to July 10, and the free IndyCar race from Aug. 21 to 23.
DC OFFICIALS RAMP UP SECURITY FOR AMERICA 250 EVENTS AFTER WHCA DINNER SHOOTING
With these public events come high security risks, which D.C. officials are prepared to tackle.
On Wednesday, interim Metropolitan Police Department chief Jeffery Carroll said there is “no specific credible threat” targeting any of these events. Still, local officials urged residents and visitors to be aware of their surroundings while out in public.