Thousands of armed National Guard troops have been patrolling the streets of Washington, D.C., for more than a year — and NPR has some rare insight into how some of the guard members are feeling about it. Three guard members who each spent many months on the D.C. mission spoke candidly to NPR on the condition of anonymity, as they are not authorized to speak publicly. One said, "I will say, very frankly, that the bad taste that this mission left in my mouth, it actually embarrasses me to be involved in any way." The White House reiterated how safe D.C. is now, without providing evidence the guard has decreased crime. Find “NPR News Now” wherever you listen to podcasts. Host: Ryland Barton/NPR Reporter: Kat Lonsdorf/NPR Producer: Zayrha Rodriguez/NPR