National Guard Increases Presence in Washington Amid Crime Combating Measures

The National Guard amplified its presence in Washington on Thursday, with troops stationed at national malls and metro stations as President Trump implemented initiatives aimed at reducing urban crime.

Early signs of local resistance emerged overnight following the establishment of a traffic checkpoint on a major road in the city.

According to the White House, over 1,600 personnel were involved in the operation, leading to 45 arrests on Wednesday.

This week, the security measures began with a limited number of personnel, but by Thursday, all approximately 800 troops and Air Force members ordered by Trump had been activated, as confirmed by the Pentagon.

“They will stay until law and order are reestablished in the district, acting as gatekeepers of our nation’s capital, as directed by the President,” stated Kingsley Wilson from the Department of Defense during a press briefing.

She added that the troops would assist the DC Metropolitan Police Department and federal law enforcement in “Community Safety Patrol,” enhancing protection of monuments, federal facilities, and managing traffic.

“It’s a deterrent, making people feel safer,” Kingsley noted.

The number of guard members has been rising since Monday evening when they first appeared at the National Mall. By Thursday, they were positioned at various sites, including subway stops like Union Station, where tourists and news crews filmed the military presence.

A lone military vehicle with two service members was parked at 7th Avenue NW and Madison Drive NW, drawing tourists who stopped to snap pictures against the backdrop of a monument.

At Union Station, four Humvees were stationed outside, with guards enduring near 90-degree heat while cameras rolled to capture the scene.

Micah Maxwell from the National Guard Bureau stated the teams had been deployed to ensure a continuous presence at the National Mall and surrounding metro stations, with plans to expand their locations over the coming days.

“The increase will be gradual, so we don’t foresee a drastic rise in the number of soldiers and airmen throughout the city,” he said.

The National Guard’s role is primarily to support local law enforcement as they step up their activities across the district; however, they remain unarmed and lack arrest powers.

Under specific circumstances, the military can temporarily detain individuals until federal agents arrive, similar to their deployment during protests against an immigrant raid in Los Angeles in June.

“They won’t be arresting anyone,” Wilson clarified. “They can restrain movement in restricted areas as needed.”

“The aim is for the Guard to assist federal agencies in addressing high crime areas,” Maxwell added.

When questioned about their absence in high-crime neighborhoods, he indicated that law enforcement had not requested their presence there.

A checkpoint was established downtown on 14th Avenue NW on Wednesday night, prompting some of the first public protests since Trump’s announcement on Monday. Protesters shouted slogans like “Go home, Fascist,” urging drivers to avoid the area.

The checkpoint did not involve the National Guard.

Smaller protests have emerged on social media as well. Filmmaker Ford Fisher shared a video featuring a man admonishing National Guard members to resist unlawful orders as they left Union Station on Thursday.

Additionally, a 37-year-old man, formerly employed by the Department of Justice, was charged with a felony after allegedly throwing a sandwich at a U.S. customs and border agent on Sunday.

Despite some signs of dissent, city leaders and Democrats are navigating a complex balance, opposing what they view as Trump’s overreach while addressing the pervasive issue of crime.

While Washington’s violent crime rates are at a 30-year low, many residents still consider crime a significant concern. A Washington Post poll from last year indicated that 65% of residents regarded crime as a “very serious” issue.

Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), who temporarily left the city due to family obligations, was initially reserved in her response to Trump’s actions. “Having more law enforcement in our neighborhoods can be beneficial,” she remarked earlier in the week.

However, her tone changed during a virtual city hall meeting, where she urged residents to “take action to protect our city and our autonomy” against what she described as an authoritarian push.

Trump has expressed intentions to prolong the federal takeover of the DC police, igniting a contentious debate in Congress, asserting that the extension must exceed 30 days.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) stated on Wednesday that Democrats would resist anticipated demands. “There’s no way we’re conceding,” Schumer said. “We’re fighting with everything we’ve got. He needs congressional approval, which we’re not going to grant, and there are Republicans who aren’t on board either.”

Nonetheless, this situation could present challenges for vulnerable Democrats concerning crime, a long-standing issue for the party.

Trump has also hinted at greater federal intervention in major cities, particularly those led by Black Democrats, including Chicago, Oakland, New York City, and Baltimore.

“It’s striking that every city mentioned by the president has a Black mayor. Most of these cities are seeing unprecedented low violent crime,” commented Mayor Brandon Scott on CNN. “Perhaps the president should learn from our experiences rather than attacking us.”

Additionally, the Trump administration is exploring the creation of a “quick reactionary force” within the 600-member National Guard, designed to respond swiftly in cities to quell protests and unrest, as reported by The Washington Post.

If this plan is included in the Pentagon’s budget process, it could be established and financed by early 2027, with questions regarding potential earlier funding through alternative means.

Currently, there’s uncertainty regarding the costs associated with deploying the DC National Guard. Wilson indicated they wouldn’t have estimates until the mission concludes.