Mississippi National Guard patrols Washington during peak cherry blossom season

Washington’s cherry blossoms reached peak bloom Thursday, coinciding with the presence of Mississippi National Guard members patrolling the National Mall. Photos captured by the Associated Press show troops among the blooming Yoshino cherry trees along the Tidal Basin.

The Mississippi National Guard announced in mid-March that soldiers from the 890th Engineer Battalion had been deployed to assist with security in Washington. The deployment is part of a broader effort launched last year by President Donald Trump, who sent troops to several Democrat-led cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Portland, Oregon, and Washington, D.C. The initiative has faced protests and raised legal and political questions, with at least 11 Republican-led states participating, along with D.C., according to reports from ABC News.

The Pentagon indicated earlier this month that the operation could continue until Jan. 20, 2029, Trump’s final day in office. The National Park Service noted that the cherry blossoms are at their peak, with about 70% of the blooms open. Typically, peak bloom occurs from late March to early April. Experts say climate change is causing the flowering period to shift earlier over the past century, from April 4 to March 29.

The annual National Cherry Blossom Festival, which runs for four weeks, features music and Japanese cultural events. Most trees are along the Tidal Basin, though parts are fenced off for seawall repairs. The cherry trees were a gift from Tokyo in 1912, and Japan continues to be involved in their care and festival activities. This year, the Japanese government contributed an additional 250 trees to mark the upcoming 250th anniversary of American independence, calling it a “birthday present,” according to the Japanese Embassy.

Visitors face some restrictions this year due to ongoing renovations to the Tidal Basin’s seawall, which began three years ago. More than 100 trees were cut down as part of the project and are slated to be replanted. Despite these challenges, the festival remains a major draw for tourists and locals alike, with the cherry blossoms serving as a symbol of friendship between Japan and the United States.

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