President Donald Trump has announced the mobilization of the National Guard in Washington DC to address rising crime and homelessness. Declaring a "public safety emergency," Trump revealed that 800 troops will support federal law enforcement, insisting the capital has descended into "lawlessness."
During a recent press conference, flanked by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump described the situation as dire, claiming DC is "overrun by violent gangs" and "drugged out maniacs." However, Mayor Muriel Bowser contests this narrative, stating crime rates have actually dropped significantly, with recent statistics noting a 30-year low in violent crime.
Trump plans to place the city's police department under federal control, citing special emergency powers. Bowser has criticized this move as "unsettling and unprecedented," explaining that no emergency conditions warrant such federal intervention exist.
While Trump emphasized cracking down on homelessness as part of his campaign, local organizations indicate that efforts to reduce homelessness have been effective in recent years. Critics argue that moving individuals out of the city will only transfer the issue rather than resolving it.
Protests erupted outside the White House as crowds criticized Trump's approach, chanting for "home rule" and claiming that his motives are rooted in control rather than public safety. This latest deployment comes after the National Guard was previously called in during the Capitol riots in 2021 and unrest following the handling of undocumented migrants. As the situation unfolds, community leaders and officials continue to voice their concerns over Trump's sweeping actions.
