On Thursday, former ABC Senior National Correspondent Terry Moran expressed his views on President Trump’s deployment of U.S. security forces and the D.C. police. Appearing on CNN’s “Newsnight with Abby Phillip,” Moran labeled the current situation as “Kabuki Theatre.” He suggested that Trump’s orders seem more theatrical because, notably, he hasn’t even sent officials to the most crime-affected areas of D.C.
Moran mentioned his visit to Anacostia, an area known for high crime rates, stating, “They’ve never seen one federal official,” while discussing his recent coverage of enhanced security in D.C. He further remarked, “They call it a show,” with locals expressing skepticism about the additional security measures, particularly since many violent incidents occur in those very neighborhoods.
The White House responded on Friday, with spokesperson Abigail Jackson taking aim at Moran’s comments. She remarked, “Next, TDS Terry will say he’s probably upset about carjacking, robbery, car theft and overall violent crime that have fallen significantly in D.C. since President Trump’s operation began.”
On August 11, Trump took federal control of D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department, launching the “D.C. Safe and Beautiful” task force. This allowed him to federate for up to 30 days under the emergency powers of the Home Rules Act. As part of this initiative, 800 members of the National Guard were dispatched to the capital to help tackle crime and homelessness. According to data shared by the White House, local and federal law enforcement have arrested around 550 individuals since early August.
Moran further argued that the federal presence in D.C. instills fear in local residents, particularly among minority families. He stated, “Other places have checkpoints and arrests, and people seem content about that. But what they dislike is the increased militarization and loss of community control.” He noted that such checkpoints discourage parents from sending their children to school and impact visits among families, particularly affecting Black and Brown communities.
Interestingly, Moran is no stranger to controversy regarding the Trump administration. He was dismissed from ABC News in June following a provocative social media post targeting Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, whom he accused of harboring hate. This past behavior aligns with his broader critiques of Trump, which he has shared in various online comments.
