Have day jobs. They don’t get paid by their employer while they are on guard duty. They get guard pay. And, depending on how long they are gone, their job might look a lot different when they return. Someone must fill their shoes while they are gone. Might have a different (not as good) job when they return. They still have to pay the bills. They shouldn’t be picking up
Trash.

military life.

Because of delays in orders.
According to a report by Military.com, multiple defense officials stated that the "chaotic and sudden activation of troops has effectively clogged up the flow of administrative work".
Lack of activation orders: As of mid-August 2025, many Guardsmen from units deployed to D.C. had not received the necessary activation orders. This paperwork is essential for unlocking pay, health benefits, and eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs services.

When my husband was a young national guardsman, he was working at a high end restaurant where dinner shifts were coveted. They made high end tips. You had to work your way up to those shifts. He had the best shifts because he was a great waiter. He had guard duty training for several weeks. When he returned, they had given other employees his shifts and he was demoted to lunch duty shifts. He gave them the finger and quit. But, these guys have day jobs and families to support. Making them pick up trash is terrible. They have families to feed and mortgages to pay. Its insulting to make them pick up trash.

entertain some big shots and a dictator.

should start at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.