Congressional Democrats are criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to send in National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., while local officials are trying to get them sent back home. Representative Emmanuel Cleaver from Missouri described the deployment as “terrifying,” expressing concern over Trump’s approach to crime in the district.
He remarked, “It’s definitely one of the most ridiculous things, and they’ve embarrassed us on the world stage. We’re supposed to be a democratic fortress, but when Mayor Bowser sends her troops to Washington, D.C., it seems to erase that “D” every single day.”
Trump’s move to deploy the National Guard was in response to what he called “completely out of control” crime in the area. On the other hand, Kansas Senator Roger Marshall argued that having troops on patrol actually enhances safety, questioning why Democrats seem uninterested in supporting that.
One interesting aspect is that Trump’s deployment follows his attempt to have local police agencies federalized under the Home Rules Act just last month, leading to an increase in federal law enforcement presence on the streets.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has acknowledged that the presence of National Guard troops contributed to a drop in crime and is looking to sign an executive order to promote collaboration with federal officials regarding crime issues.
However, the D.C. Attorney General, Brian Schwarb, filed a lawsuit earlier this week aimed at removing the National Guard from the area. He emphasized that local coordination with federal partners is necessary, mentioning the helpfulness of agencies like the FBI and DEA.
This legal action follows a judge’s earlier ruling that deemed Trump’s deployment of the National Guard in Los Angeles illegal. Schwarb’s lawsuit suggests that some laws might be hindering local policing efforts.
Senator John Haven has pointed out that it should be a straightforward issue, encouraging Democrats to join together with others to ensure safety in the district.
On the other side, Florida Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar argued that Trump’s approach is “simple.” She highlighted a significant decrease in crime rates, asking rhetorically what the issue is if crime has notably diminished since his intervention.
Meanwhile, Senator Martin Heinrich from New Mexico described how the deployment of the National Guard had a positive effect on local policing in his state. However, he critiqued Trump’s military use, suggesting it might distract from the real issues facing law enforcement in D.C.
