CNN 5 Things One Thing: Deployed and Dejected: The National Guard in DC
Sep 7, 2025
Isabelle Khurshudyan, a CNN Senior Enterprise Reporter, discusses the unique challenges faced by National Guard troops deployed in Washington, D.C. as crime concerns rise. She highlights the emotional toll on soldiers and their families due to their unusual assignments, like beautification projects, instead of combat roles. The conversation reveals the tension between the Guard’s military presence and community relations while addressing the need for meaningful duty in a politically charged environment.
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Unprecedented Politicized Deployment
- The D.C. deployment is unusual and politically charged, not a typical disaster response mission.
- That novelty is driving confusion and low morale among National Guard members and their families.
Plan For Extended Guard Deployments
- Expect some deployments to be extended to offer continuity in benefits like healthcare and housing.
- Plan financially and arrange family support ahead when National Guard members receive orders.
Soldiers Doing 'Beautification' Work
- Guardsmen report being assigned "beautification projects" like raking leaves and trash pickup instead of traditional security tasks.
- Families told CNN these mundane orders left soldiers feeling their service was trivialized.