President Donald Trump signed an executive order Monday tasking his secretary of defense, Pete Hegseth, with establishing “specialized units” in the National Guard that will be “specifically trained and equipped to deal with public order issues” — the clearest sign yet he intends to expand the US military’s role in domestic law enforcement activities across the country.

Some National Guard units patrolling in Washington are now carrying firearms. Some have been seen cleaning areas and carrying garbage bags, though their stated mission is to reduce crime in the nation's capital.

The administration has zeroed in on Chicago as the next target in its effort to address crime with military deployments.