Mixed Reactions as National Guard Takes to DC Streets Under Trump's Crime Crackdown

National Guard troops watch a D.C. police vehicle enter a staging area at the U.S. Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility in Washington on Tuesday. (Craig Hudson/For The Washington Post)

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A member of the District of Columbia National Guard arrives at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Mixed Reactions as National Guard Takes to DC Streets Under Trump's Crime Crackdown

Li Haung - National-Politics
Tell Us USA News Network

WASHINGTON, DC — As military Humvees rolled through the nation's capital and National Guard troops in fatigues began patrolling familiar neighborhoods, Washington DC residents expressed a complex mix of alarm, support, and uncertainty about President Donald Trump's unprecedented federal takeover of local law enforcement.

The deployment, which began Tuesday night as part of Trump's broader crime crackdown initiative, has placed 800 National Guard members on DC streets alongside federal agents from the DEA, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security. The sight of armed military personnel near iconic landmarks like the Washington Monument has left many residents grappling with an unfamiliar reality.

"It Doesn't Feel Good"

For John Stavile, the deployment interrupted his evening jog near the Washington Monument. Stopping to photograph five military Humvees and dozens of National Guard members, he expressed his unease with the militarized presence.

"It doesn't feel good seeing the military deployed in D.C.," Stavile said, drawing comparisons to recent military parades that brought tanks down Rhode Island Avenue.

Dan Kimbrough, visiting from Pennsylvania, encountered the troops while leaving the African American Museum. "It's a little unnerving," he said, describing himself as "disturbed" by the sudden military presence.

The shock of seeing armed federal forces has prompted some residents to voice their dissent directly. As National Guard troops patrolled the Mall, one woman running by began chanting "Free D.C.!" — a sentiment echoed by red and white signs appearing on overpasses reading "FREE D.C."

Divided Views on Federal Control

The federal takeover has sparked intense debate among residents about local autonomy versus public safety. Many who spoke with reporters expressed strong opposition to what they see as federal overreach.

"I think D.C. politics should stay with D.C., and, unfortunately, the federal government is apparently overstepping their bounds right now," one resident told Fox News Digital, hoping that DC would be allowed to govern and police itself.

Others were more blunt in their criticism. "Privatizing security is a terrible idea, and I think anything that Trump does is garbage," another resident said, while one called the federal takeover a "terrible idea" that "doesn't make a lot of sense."

Some residents connected the deployment to broader issues of DC statehood and representation. "There's no way he should be in control of anything," one resident said, arguing that Washington, DC, "should be a state" to have more decision-making power.

Safety Concerns Drive Some Support

Despite widespread opposition to federal control, many residents acknowledged serious concerns about public safety that have made some receptive to increased security measures.

"I think it's a good idea," one resident said of Trump's plan. "It's something that needs to be done for the city to be safe. Right now, we're not safe."

Another resident described taking personal precautions due to safety fears: she must "make sure to come home before sundown" and worries about being robbed when using public transportation. "We need all the protection that we can get in the city, because the city is really getting dangerous," she said.

Confusion Over Crime Statistics

The deployment comes amid conflicting narratives about DC's crime situation. While the Department of Justice reported a 30-year low in violent crime last year, many residents remain concerned about public safety.

"Things do seem out of control and desperate, but I don't know what kind of numbers to take, what numbers to read," one resident said, articulating the confusion many feel. "One minute they'll say crime is out of control. Next minute, they will say crime is down a certain percentage. It's kind of confusing, and I don't know who to believe."

Looking Ahead

The federal takeover, enabled by the Home Rule Act, can last up to 30 days before requiring congressional approval — something that would likely face Democratic resistance. Meanwhile, Mayor Muriel Bowser has called Trump's actions "unsettling and unprecedented," and advocacy groups like Free DC have organized rallies against the deployment.

As National Guard troops continue their patrols and federal agents maintain their increased presence, DC residents find themselves at the center of a national debate over federal versus local authority, public safety, and the unique status of the nation's capital.

The sight of military vehicles and armed personnel on familiar streets has fundamentally altered the daily experience for many Washingtonians, creating what one observer called "a shocking sight despite the administration's earlier promise to deploy forces."

Whether residents view the deployment as necessary protection or dangerous overreach, most agree on one thing: the nation's capital feels different with troops on its streets.