Washington DC Police now under Trump's authority
Headline: Controversy Surrounds National Guard Deployment in Washington, D.C. as Crime Rates Remain Low
In a move that has sparked controversy and division, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C. in 2025. The decision, which came flanked by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi, was made to combat a wave of lawlessness in the city, according to the president.
However, the available crime statistics paint a different picture. Violent crime in Washington, D.C. had already hit a 30-year low in 2024, with a further 26% decrease observed in the first seven months of 2025. This suggests that the federal intervention may not have resulted in a decrease in violent crime statistics, as some had hoped.
The deployment of around 1,900 to 2,000 troops, primarily stationed in downtown areas, has led to a tense and polarized atmosphere. Some residents feel under siege by what they describe as militarized law enforcement, while others support the initiative as a crime reduction measure.
Despite Vice President JD Vance’s public statements praising the troops and asserting that law and order have been restored, these remarks have been met with protest and skepticism on the ground. The situation appears politically charged, with controversy over both the necessity and impact of the federal intervention.
The Justice Department has even launched an investigation into claims that city crime statistics were manipulated, reflecting dispute over the accuracy of reported figures amid the federal takeover. This adds to the ongoing legal action regarding the Trump administration's deployment of National Guard troops and US Marines without the approval of a Democratic governor, as seen in the San Francisco trial.
It's important to note that the US military is generally prohibited under law from directly participating in domestic law enforcement activities. This raises questions about the legality and necessity of the deployment.
The deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. is not a new tactic for President Trump. During his first term, he sent the National Guard into Washington in 2020 to help quell mostly peaceful demonstrations during nationwide protests over police brutality following the murder of George Floyd. The president has also used this tactic in Los Angeles, where he dispatched 5,000 troops in June in response to protests.
Civil rights leaders denounced the deployment of the National Guard into Washington in 2020, which was opposed by Mayor Muriel Bowser. State and local officials in Los Angeles also objected to Trump's decision as unnecessary and inflammatory.
As the situation continues to unfold, it's clear that the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. is a divisive issue, with questions surrounding its legality, necessity, and impact on the city's crime rates. The investigation by the Justice Department and ongoing legal action in San Francisco are likely to shed more light on these matters in the coming months.
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