Armed Guard Troops Seen at D.C. Ballot Drop Box

On October 9, 2026, a photograph captured three armed National Guard members surrounding a ballot drop box outside the GW‑Foggy Bottom Metro station in Washington, D.C.

The image prompted criticism from D.C. Council and other D.C. government officials, who said the presence of armed guards at a voting drop box was unacceptable.

Ballot drop boxes are used for absentee voting in the district, and officials noted that deploying armed troops at one raised concerns about voter access and intimidation.