Republican Strategist Sparks Discussion on National Guard in D.C.

On “CNN Newsnight,” Republican strategist Scott Jennings raised eyebrows during a conversation with host Abby Phillip, who sought insights from a former federal prosecutor about the potential deployment of the National Guard in Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump recently announced plans to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) as part of efforts to combat crime in the capital. Interestingly, a related report highlighted a story of Trump encountering crime on the streets of D.C.

“People are certainly looking for safety and security. However, I’m not convinced that people are indifferent to the military’s involvement against fellow citizens,” Jennings remarked. He underscored the importance of a principle rooted in American history: that military force should not be directed at Americans, but rather used to safeguard them.

Jennings continued, “You keep referring to it as being used against Americans. What do you mean by that? What’s really harming us—carjacking, sexual assaults—it’s not a war on citizens, but rather combating crime, including actions taken against illegal immigrants.” Since Trump’s initiatives began, there have been 1,178 arrests and the seizure of 123 firearms, per a post by Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Phillip noted, “I want to let our CNN legal analyst Ellie Honig respond, but look, I’m not claiming there’s a war on American citizens. Many innocent Americans—who may indeed be a part of this—are swept into the situation.”

One notable incident involved Edward Coristine, a staff member from the Government Efficiency Office (DOGE), who was injured in August while attempting to intervene in a carjacking incident.