Some National Guard units patrolling the nation’s capital at the direction of President Donald Trump have started carrying firearms.

 

That's an escalation of his military deployment that makes good on a directive issued late last week by his defense secretary.

 

Tourists visiting the National Mall responded to the unique sight.

 

Patricia Sylvester, a resident of Maine, said she thinks it’s a power move.

 

“I've said to them, because I talked to the National Guard, I've said this doesn't make me feel safer.”

 

Dan Gehrke, visiting from Wisconsin with his family, disagrees with Sylvester’s assessment.

 

“Just from the things we've been hearing even around town today and from other people that have been here, the presence is welcome. And I think that anything that we can do to make the cities of the United State safer is better,” Gehrke said.