White House Deploys National Guard in D.C.

On August 11, President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C. Trump has long expressed his disapproval of the conditions in the nation's capital, and, in August, an official White House press release referred to “out-of-control” crime in the District. In response, the president deployed the National Guard and took the D.C. police under federal control.

"The BBC" stated that the Home Rule Act of 1973 permits D.C. to elect a mayor and city council and authorizes the president to place the police department under federal control if deemed necessary. The federal control lasts for 30 days but may be extended if the Senate and the House pass a joint resolution.

According to "PBS," Trump deployed the majority of the 2,000 guardspeople to the monuments and other busy areas. Originally, the troops were unarmed, but on August 22, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth agreed to arm the troops. Additionally, 500 federal agents were sent to D.C. neighborhoods. These agents stopped people for traffic violations, conducted checkpoints, and checked people’s immigration status. Undocumented people accounted for a large percentage of the arrests.

The United States Attorney’s Office reported that statistics show that violent crime in D.C. was at a 30-year low before the federal takeover. Violent crime in 2024 was 35% less than in 2023, with a 32% decrease in homicides, 39% decrease in robberies and 53% decrease in armed carjackings. Due to these statistics, politicians such as Mayor Muriel Bowser disapproved of President Trump’s actions, according to "CNN."

"The BBC" reported that she called Trump’s actions an “authoritarian push” and believes that crime in D.C. does not warrant a federal takeover.

Trump, however, stated that crime in D.C. following the deployment of the National Guard fell to “virtually nothing.” The National Guard made

over 2,000 arrests in the first 30 days.

The D.C. National Guard will remain beyond the 30-day emergency period, according to "NPR."

"The Washington Post" reported that the Trump Administration, however, no longer controls the D.C. police department.

D.C. resident Barrett Poling ’27 observed “five or six tank vehicles with about three soldiers standing around them." Poling said that “seeing [the tanks] in [her] community...made [her] scared.”

Similarly, Ilsa Peterson ’27 said that "[the Guard is] a part of daily life," as she noted the National Guard throughout the district.

Spokesperson for the Young Republicans Club Leah Claire Peterson '28 said, "The Young Republicans Club supports President Trump’s decision to have the National Guard aid our overwhelmed district police. The Guard is under directive from the police chief and is acting as a supplement to our Metropolitan Police Department."

Peterson cited "The BBC" as she stated that "as of August 28th there had been a 23% drop in violent crime in the first week of the Guard’s presence."

Additionally, "[the Young Republicans Club believes] it is imperative [that] criminals are held accountable, so everyday citizens and families can feel safer in our wonderful city!"

According to "CNN," Trump stated the National Guard will head to Memphis and Chicago next.