National Guard Deployment Escalates DC Tensions Amidst Trump’s ‘Lawlessness’ Claims

Washington D.C. is experiencing heightened tensions as three Republican-led states—West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio—dispatch additional National Guard troops to the capital. This deployment, totaling hundreds of personnel, comes at President Donald Trump’s request, who recently declared a ‘public safety emergency,’ asserting the city is gripped by ‘complete and total lawlessness.’ These new forces will bolster the approximately 800 federal troops already stationed in the city, alongside agents from various federal law enforcement agencies.

The move has drawn strong objections from D.C.’s elected officials and residents. Hundreds marched in protest over the weekend, converging in Dupont Circle and chanting ‘Free DC!’ Many residents, a significant majority of whom voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, have expressed frustration with the administration’s enforcement policies, documenting federal officers patrolling the city.

President Trump has painted a stark picture of Washington D.C. as being overrun by ‘violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals,’ citing recent incidents. However, Mayor Muriel Bowser has vehemently rejected these claims, acknowledging a crime spike in 2023 but emphasizing a subsequent significant decline. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) data supports Bowser’s stance, showing homicides dropped 32% between 2023 and 2024, reaching their lowest since 2019. Preliminary 2025 data further indicates a 26% decrease in overall violent crime and a 28% drop in robbery compared to the same period last year, according to BBC Verify reports.

The current situation follows the Trump administration’s earlier attempt to assert control over the Metropolitan Police Department via the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, an order later rescinded after city officials pursued legal action. Despite this, a prior ruling by Judge Ana Reyes affirmed that Mayor Bowser is required to follow White House directives, underscoring the ongoing jurisdictional complexities.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.