Several Democrats criticized the decision to deploy the National Guard in response to crime in Washington, D.C.
Democrats including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Representative Glenn Ivey expressed their disapproval regarding the mobilization of the National Guard and specialized units in the Columbia area to tackle crime issues.
During a press conference with President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that the DC National Guard will be activated and “managed by Secretary of the Army, Dan Driscoll.”
Trump also indicated that he is “formally invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rules Act,” placing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under “direct federal control.”
“President Trump’s choice to mobilize the National Guard for local policing in DC lacks seriousness and poses significant risks,” Moore stated. “As someone with military experience and the Maryland State Guard commander, I take the deployment of our military personnel very seriously.”
Moore further criticized the actions for lacking “both data and strategic planning,” claiming that Trump is “using honorable servicemen and women as distractions from his policies.”
“On January 6th, Trump delayed the National Guard’s deployment when our Capitol was violently attacked and lives were at risk,” Pelosi remarked. “Now, he’s reviving the DC Guard to divert attention from his mishandling of tariffs, healthcare, education, and immigration.”
Ivey added, “During the January 6th riots, while the Capitol was under attack, Trump hesitated to call in the National Guard. Now, after a former Doge staff member is attacked, he suddenly seeks help from security and attempts to make local police federal agents. This isn’t about ensuring public safety; crime is actually declining in DC. It feels like a desperate attempt to distract from more significant issues.”
The mobilization of the DC National Guard, along with placing the MPD under federal control, follows the assault on Edward Coristine, a known member of the so-called Doge. In response to the attack, Trump threatened to take “federal control” of Washington, D.C. unless crime levels improved.
Previously, Trump had ordered various law enforcement agencies—including the U.S. Park Police, FBI, ATF, DEA, and ICE—to patrol DC streets for a week in an effort to combat violent crime.
