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By Jordan King
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The White House has announced that certain National Guard troops will now receive the same benefits as other active duty troops.
"President Trump and [Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth] have announced FULL benefits for national guard troops, equivalent to those of other active service members," the White House wrote on X on Monday.
"No one stands with our troops like the Trump administration," it added.
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Newsweek has contacted the White House for comment via email outside normal working hours.
Why It Matters
Advocates and lawmakers have long argued that extended deployments and shutdown-related disruptions have strained guard families and affected retention, spotlighting disparities between traditional guard benefits and those available to active-duty troops.
What To Know
National Guard benefits depend on the legal status under which troops serve, with full active-duty benefits typically available only during certain federal deployments. The White House has not provided details on which benefits National Guard troops will receive.
Operational Deployment Pay is given to National Guard deployed away from their home station for approved deployments lasting more than 60 consecutive days, according to Army guidance.
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Under current law, guard benefits vary by duty status, with full active-duty benefits typically limited to certain federal activations.
Trump also announced the benefits while in Memphis on Monday, according to NewsNation, where he celebrated the Memphis Safe Task Force's "remarkable progress in restoring safety to a city long ranked among the nation's most dangerous," the White House said.
Trump previously deployed federal government troops to Memphis, along with other Democrat-run cities, such as Washington and New Orleans.
What People Are Saying
President Donald Trump said at the Memphis event on Monday: "Today, I'm pleased to announce that the Secretary of War ... has just signed a directive to ensure that all National Guard members serving on this task force [the Memphis Safe Task Force]—as well as in D.C., New Orleans and our border security missions—will receive the same benefits as active-duty troops because you deserve it."
What Happens Next
The administration must define which duty statuses and benefit categories apply to guard members to align entitlements with active-duty standards, and agencies will likely issue implementing guidance and timelines.
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