Visit to National Guard in Washington D.C.
On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegses visited National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., expressing their gratitude for the soldiers’ contributions in addressing violent crime in the area.
The group, which included White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, stopped by Union Station for burgers. During this casual meeting, Vance praised the military’s significant role in keeping the city “really safe.”
In a conversation with the media, Vance remarked, “We found that robbery has dropped by more than 50%.”
He also shared a tweet stating, “Over the past nine days, President Trump’s leadership has reduced violent crime by 35% and robbery by 50%.” He expressed appreciation for the national guardsmen’s hard work in improving the safety of the nation’s capital.
Hegses commented, “[These guardsmen are] patriots who believe we deserve a beautiful and safe capital.” He acknowledged their pride in the mission to uphold the rule of law and expressed his honor to be with them.
Vance took a moment to personally thank the National Guard members, saying, “You guys should squash your ass all day long. We’ll give you burgers. It’s not fair trade, but we’re grateful for everything you do.”
While this was happening inside, protesters outside were vocalizing their dissent against Trump’s decision to involve the National Guard and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).
Vance noted, “You can hear these people screaming ‘free DC’ here. Free DC from lawlessness. It’s odd that we have a lot of old, mostly white people protesting policies that keep people safe when they’ve never felt a danger in their entire life.”
He pointed out that there were various issues present around Union Station, mentioning situations involving mental illness and homelessness as contributing factors to the area’s safety concerns.
Currently, around 1,900 troops are in D.C. after President Trump declared a criminal emergency in the capital. Attorney General Pam Bondy stated that more than 550 arrests have been made thus far.
The President has invoked the District of Columbia Home Rules Act, allowing federal control over the MPD for 30 days. Extensions require Congressional approval, indicating potential future actions by the administration.
Vance said, “In the end, the US President will decide where we are 30 days after this emergency order. I think we’ll make a lot of progress over the next 20 days.”
This visit and the ongoing efforts highlight the administration’s approach to crime in Washington, D.C., showcasing the challenging balance between safety measures and public sentiment.
