Source: France 24 [French state media]
“Some National Guard units patrolling the nation’s capital at the direction of President Donald Trump have started carrying firearms, an escalation of his military deployment that makes good on a directive issued late last week by his defence secretary. A Defence Department official who was not authorised to speak publicly said some units on certain missions would be armed – some with handguns and others with rifles. The spokesperson said that all units with firearms have been trained and are operating under strict rules for use of force.” (08/25/25)