A member of the Georgia National Guard deployed in Washington, D.C., was arrested earlier this month and charged with felony counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and possession of a firearm during a dangerous crime. The charges stem from an alleged incident on Aug. 25 where Zion Mitchell, 21, reportedly pulled a gun on a fellow Guard member during a dispute over regulation haircuts.
According to a Metropolitan Police Department report, the argument occurred while Mitchell and the female Guard member were in a van. Their disagreement began over whether their hairstyles complied with Army regulations. The report states that the woman heard a holster click and initially believed Mitchell had opened his holster. Other Guard members informed her that a weapon had been drawn and pointed at her. She told police that she assumed the firearm was loaded, as National Guard weapons are typically kept loaded.
Mitchell was arrested on Sept. 1. A request for comment regarding the soldier's status from the Joint Task Force was not immediately returned.
The presence of National Guard members in Washington, D.C., has been a point of contention since August 2025, when then-President Donald Trump issued an emergency order citing what he described as out-of-control crime. This led to the activation and deployment of the local National Guard to the streets, alongside federal law enforcement officers. Trump also temporarily took control of the local police department. Guard forces from various states, predominantly those with Republican governors, were also sent to the city.
The deployment has since been extended through January 2029. Currently, over 3,100 Guard members from 18 states, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia are part of the task force operating in the city. This number is down from over 5,000 who were in the city for events in July and August. Georgia contributes the second-largest contingent with 531 personnel as of Sept. 8.
The deployment has drawn criticism from some Washington residents who argue the troops' presence is unlawful and has not effectively reduced serious crime. Over the course of their deployment, Guard members have been involved in various duties, including responding to medical emergencies, assisting with arrests, enforcing the city's juvenile curfew, and participating in beautification projects. The D.C. Guard also assisted with snow removal during a significant winter storm in January.