I was in midtown Manhattan in Jan. after 9-11. I didn't see Troops in the streets. in 2011, I was at the Louvre and there was a squad of 4 with AR's, and it was jarring to me. I did the same, joking, taking pics, but I thought that's why I'm an American. We don't do that. Fascism as touristy fun?

It’s gonna replace the traditional iconic photo of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Get your America in decline pictures before it’s too late!

How humiliating.

How terribly sad

Snapped a pic while they were taking a break laying down mulch.

Cracking down on DC crime = picking up garbage and gardening by the National Guard members using Americans' taxpayers' money. Now, where exactly is this horrendous crime?

bsky.app/profile/anna...

Why TF are they carrying long guns?

I guess standing around like a GI Joe toy waiting for lil Donny to decide what mission to send them on next is better than being sent to rake mulch or pick up trash….

They should pose, unironically, in front of the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial in Penn Quarter, honoring the soldiers who fought to preserve and protect the Constitution during the Civil War. (Note to MAGAts: those weren't the Confederates.) en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_A...

I am of an age where most people not close to my age look like kids. These guys look like kids.

By any chance did you ask the tourists where they were from? I assume they were pro-NG in DC?

This is good military-civ relations, though. It's not the soldiers' fault they're there. Better to take selfies with them than spit on them. Better that the Guard feels aligned with the tourists and residents they might someday be asked to shoot at.

Absolutely 💯 percent on that!!!

Not blaming the soldiers. They don't make policy.

this is a really good point and makes me feel a tiny bit better. i wonder if they feel a burning embarrassment or bitterness at being a photo op for tourists, or if this feels acceptable/like a "sure, why not?" to them.

They are surely not happy, especially those from other states who had to leave their families and jobs - remember NG is part-time so you have to take leave from your job if you deploy. They signed up to help defend America, not to be treated as cheap janitors and landscapers in DC.

But we should assume that doing a photo-op with tourists is a good thing and makes them feel better.

I've read elsewhere (will see if i can find it) but some have been interviewed and asked about it. They apparently say this has killed any desire to continue in the guard, many plan to leave ASAP.

Pretty gross to see these mooks —willingly serving as members of Trump’s personal militia — placed in front of a monument to actual heroes.

They are standing in the shade of WWII soldiers, both literally and figuratively.

“Wow, Ma, real soldiers!” Now they’re turned into zoo animals for tourists.

LOL

Keeping an eye on those tourists, remember Jan. 6 2021!

It’s a beautiful day here today. Eating downtown next week and hoping to survive😂😂😂

Oh but the crime🫣🫣🫣

This is good. Make friends with our soldiers instead of confronting them. Remind them in a friendly way that they are OUR troops, not trumpy’s private army.😏

From Heather Cox Richardson

Aww take a pic of the Guard picking up trash. That would be real

Turning on flash will help with the shadow. 🤪

Congrats, soldiers! You're now Buckingham Guardsmen.

They said it’s down 1500% in the last week.

substack.com/@democraticw...

Taking instagram pics without a permit, smh

We do that with rats in NYC.

These people taking pictures are complicit.

Hi Mom! I'm in Washington DC!!

Lethality!

Hah!

Hiding in the shadows.

Did the soldiers check their papers before allowing a photo to be taken???🤔 inquiring minds want to know

Where is DOGE… seems really expensive to have them doing what the National Park employees would do

@annabower.bsky.social this is actually a good point. The Trump klepto-fascist machine will be using footage from DC and LA and on and on for mid-term propoganda. Dems should be shooting the ACTUAL scenes for mid-term spots to counter the MAGA bullshit. Picking up garbage, eating ice cream, etc

Operation #KeepTheGuardOccupied Photo ops at every corner. If they are busy playing, they can’t cause trouble.