The National Guard is a reserve force of the U.S. military that is typically deployed by states in response to natural disasters, although it has been used in the past by presidents to help quell domestic unrest - including President George H.W. Bush during the Los Angeles riots in 1992.

While it is mostly called to respond to state-level emergencies, the National Guard has also been called to enforce law. The DC National Guard is primarily under federal control.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that homeless people in D.C. could face jail time if they do not use certain resources.