Washington DC, USA — National Guard troops have appeared on the streets of Washington DC following President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy 800 soldiers and 500 federal law enforcement agents, citing what he claims is an “out of control” violent crime problem in the US capital.
Armoured vehicles were spotted near government buildings, tourist attractions, and urban centres on Tuesday evening. Troops, dressed in camouflage, were also seen erecting barricades and taking photos with visitors.
Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, has sharply rejected the move, calling it an “authoritarian push” and denying that crime levels are spiralling in the city. Trump, a Republican, has suggested similar deployments could be made in New York and Chicago—two other Democrat-led cities.
Arrests and Federal Involvement
According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, federal agents arrested 23 individuals on Monday night for offences including homicide, gun crimes, drug trafficking, stalking, reckless driving, and lewd acts. “This is only the beginning,” Leavitt said, pledging a month-long crackdown on violent criminals. FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that the FBI was involved in about half of those arrests.
Mayor vs. President
Earlier on Tuesday, Bowser had expressed cautious cooperation with federal officers, saying her focus was on making the most of their presence. However, by the evening, she had escalated her criticism, urging residents to defend “our autonomy” and work to ensure a Democratic-controlled House as a counterbalance to Trump’s actions.
Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said the federal influx could help in the ongoing fight to remove illegal firearms from the streets.
Deadly Shooting Sparks Security Concerns
The deployment coincides with an ongoing manhunt for a rifle-wielding suspect who killed a man in Logan Circle—a popular neighbourhood just a mile from the White House—marking the city’s 100th homicide of the year. The incident prompted the US Secret Service to tighten security around the presidential residence.
What Do Crime Figures Show?
Data from Washington DC’s Metropolitan Police indicates violent crime dropped 35% last year to its lowest rate in three decades, after peaking in 2023. However, DC Police Union Chairman Gregg Pemberton disputes those figures, accusing the department of manipulating data to create a false picture of safety.
FBI statistics also point to a drop in violent crime in DC last year—though a more modest 9%—with the city’s homicide rate still higher than the average for major US cities.
As the political dispute unfolds, the question remains: is violent crime in Washington DC truly out of control, or is it being used as a political weapon in an election year?
