Mississippi National Guard patrols Washington during peak cherry blossom season
Washington — Members of the Mississippi National Guard were photographed patrolling the National Mall on Thursday, March 26, as the city experienced peak bloom of its cherry blossoms. The Guard’s presence coincides with the annual festival and the busy spring season in the capital, according to AP photos.
The Mississippi National Guard announced in mid-March that soldiers from the 890th Engineer Battalion were deployed to assist with security. The deployment is part of a broader effort initiated by President Donald Trump last year, involving troops in several Democratic-led cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., to address crime concerns. The operation has prompted protests and raised legal and political questions, with at least 11 states, mostly led by Republicans, participating, along with D.C., the Pentagon has said.
The National Park Service reported that the cherry blossoms reached their peak bloom on Thursday, with about 70% of the Yoshino Cherry blossoms open. The timing aligns with typical late March or early April peaks, though climate change has led to earlier blooms over the past century, the Washington Post noted. The blossoms usually last only a few days, with weather conditions like rain or wind capable of quickly reducing their visibility.
The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs for four weeks, features music and Japanese cultural events. Most trees are located around the Tidal Basin, although parts are fenced off for seawall repairs. The cherry trees were a gift from Tokyo in 1912, and Japan continues to participate in their care and in festival celebrations. This year’s festivities also commemorate the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, with Japan contributing additional trees as a gesture for the milestone, according to the Japanese Embassy.
Visitors are experiencing some restrictions at the Tidal Basin due to ongoing renovations aimed at reinforcing the seawall ahead of the anniversary celebrations. More than 100 trees have been removed as part of the project and are slated for replanting. Despite these challenges, the cherry blossoms remain a prominent symbol of the city’s springtime beauty, attracting crowds during the fleeting bloom period.
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