Trump’s Federal Crackdown Escalates: States Deploy National Guard Troops to Washington DC
The Trump administration’s policing overhaul in Washington DC is intensifying, with three states now sending hundreds of National Guard troops to the capital. On Saturday, West Virginia confirmed a deployment of 300–400 troops, South Carolina pledged 200, and Ohio committed 150 in the coming days.
The reinforcements arrive as protesters clash with federal law enforcement and National Guard units already stationed in the city, following Donald Trump’s executive order to federalize DC’s police force and activate 800 District National Guard members.
West Virginia governor Patrick Morrisey’s office said the deployment was “a show of commitment to public safety and regional cooperation,” promising both personnel and equipment. The move follows Trump’s controversial decision to temporarily take control of Washington DC’s police department, portraying the city as plagued by crime and homelessness.
But the data tells a different story. According to DC police statistics, violent crime is at a 30-year low, and rates have dropped another 26% since Trump’s return to office in January.
Crackdown on Homelessness Sparks Outrage
Last weekend, Trump ordered the removal of homeless residents from the capital, threatening forcible relocation after seeing encampments near his motorcade route. By Thursday, local officials cleared one of the sites Trump complained about, insisting they acted more humanely than untrained federal forces.
Legal Battles Over DC Policing
Trump also attempted to replace Police Chief Pamela Smith with DEA head Terry Cole as “emergency police commissioner.” But US District Judge Ana Reyes pushed back, signaling that Smith must stay in charge, at least for now. Still, Trump pressed ahead Saturday by pulling in West Virginia’s guard.
A White House official defended the move, claiming the deployments were meant to “protect federal assets, create a safe environment for law enforcement, and deter crime with a visible presence.”
Protesters Push Back
On Saturday, hundreds marched from Dupont Circle to the White House under banners reading “No fascist takeover of DC” and “No military occupation.” Many accused Trump of using crime as a pretext for a political power grab.
The Chamberlain Network, a veterans’ group “dedicated to protecting democracy,” slammed the move, saying:
“From floods to winter storms, we rely on our Guard in crises. They should be home, ready to respond—not used for political policing missions.”
The Guard’s Role in DC
Currently, around 800 National Guard troops under Trump’s direct authority are visible across DC, handling administrative tasks, patrols, and even ‘area beautification’ work. The Army confirmed they are not armed for now, though a formal order to allow certain troops to carry firearms is expected soon.
The White House added that guardsmen are patrolling on foot and in vehicles around Union Station and the National Mall, but are not making arrests.
Expanding to Other Cities?
Trump has hinted at similar interventions in other Democratic-led cities. A federal judge in San Francisco is expected to rule soon on whether Trump broke the law by deploying National Guard troops to Los Angeles in June without approval from California Governor Gavin Newsom.
Traditionally, the National Guard can only be deployed if requested by a state governor—but in Washington DC, the Guard reports directly to the president, giving Trump unusual authority over the capital’s forces.