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National Guard troops watched over some of the world's most renowned landmarks and Humvees took up position in front of the busy main train station.

The police chief's order establishes that Metropolitan Police Department officers can now share information with immigration agencies regarding people not in custody — such as someone involved in a traffic stop or checkpoint. MPD officers may also provide "transportation for federal immigration employees and detained subject," the order states.

The changes, which raise collaboration between the two forces in notable ways, erodes the district's long-standing policy against cooperating with civil immigration enforcement. They are effective immediately.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, walking a tightrope between the Republican White House and the constituency of her largely Democratic city, was out of town Thursday for a family commitment in Martha's Vineyard but would be back Friday, her office said.

In a city tense from days of ramp-up toward federal law enforcement intervention, volunteers helped homeless people leave long-standing encampments — to where, exactly, was often unclear.

Trump told reporters he was pleased at how the operation — and, now, its direct link with his immigration-control efforts — unfolded.

"That's a very positive thing, I have heard that just happened," Trump said of Police Chief Pamela Smith's order. "That's a great step. That's a great step if they're doing that."

A boost in police activity

For an already wary Washington, Thursday marked a notable — and highly visible — uptick in presence from the previous two days.

Trump has the power to take over federal law enforcement for 30 days before his actions must be reviewed by Congress, though he said he'll re-evaluate as that deadline approaches.

The response before Thursday was gradual and, by all appearances, low key. But on Wednesday night, officers set up a checkpoint in one of D.C.'s popular nightlife areas, drawing protests.

The White House said authorities arrested 45 people Wednesday night, with 29 people arrested for living in the country illegally; other arrests included for distribution or possession of drugs, carrying a concealed weapon and assaulting a federal officer.

Troops were stationed outside the Union Station transportation hub as the 800 Guard members who were activated by Trump start in on missions that include monument security, community safety patrols and beautification efforts, the Pentagon said.

"They will remain until law and order has been restored in the District as determined by the president, standing as the gatekeepers of our great nation's capital," Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson said. 

Wilson said the troops won't be armed and declined to give more details on what the safety patrols or beautification efforts would entail or how many Guard members already were sent out on the streets.

National Guard Major Micah Maxwell said troops will assist law enforcement in a variety of roles, including traffic control posts and crowd control. 

Though the current deployment is taking place under unprecedented circumstances, National Guard troops are a semi-regular presence in D.C., typically being used during mass public events like the annual July 4 celebration. They have regularly been used in the past for crowd control in and around Metro stations.

Trump denied Thursday that the federal law enforcement officials he sent into Washington's streets to fight crime have been diverted from priority assignments like counterterrorism. Asked if he was concerned about that, Trump said he's using a "very small force" of soldiers and that city police are now allowed to do their job properly amidst his security lockdown.

Homeless residents

Meanwhile, about a dozen homeless residents in Washington packed up their belongings with help from volunteers from charitable groups and staffers from some city agencies. 

Several protesters held signs close by, some critical of the Trump administration. Once the residents left, a construction vehicle from a city agency cleared through the remains of the tents.

The departures were voluntary, but they came in response to a clear threat from the Trump administration. Advocates expect law enforcement officers to fan out across D.C. in the coming days to forcibly take down remaining homeless encampments.

In Washington Circle, which still contained a few tents, city workers put up signs announcing "general cleanup of this public space" starting Monday morning.

For two days, small groups of federal officers were visible in scattered parts of the city. More were present in high-profile locations Wednesday night, and troops were expected to start doing more missions Thursday.