The deployment of federal forces in Washington, DC, has stirred controversy and concern among residents, with many questioning the necessity of the move.
President Donald Trump’s administration has defended the deployment as a necessary measure to combat crime, but critics argue it’s a “manufactured crisis” aimed at political gain.
Outside Union Station, National Guard soldiers are seen patrolling the area, armed with zip-tie handcuffs, while armored vehicles are stationed nearby.
Randy Kindle, a 48-year-old Air Force veteran, expressed his disapproval, stating, “it’s disrespectful to our troops to have to invade their own country essentially and be pitted against their own citizens.”
Kindle witnessed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in neighboring Maryland, where agents had their own film crew. “This is a reality show for them,” he said. “It’s a f idiocracy.”
Washington Council member Zachary Parker described the deployment as “a manufactured crisis made up by the Trump administration for their own political gain.”
According to Parker, many troops are standing around, not supported with proper equipment or vehicles, and frankly looking bored. Trump claimed the federalization of Washington’s policing was necessary to combat rampant crime, but official data shows crime has declined sharply in the US capital over the past few years, hitting a 30-year low in 2024.
Parker warned that Trump’s move should not be taken lightly by the rest of the country, suggesting it could be a precursor to militarizing American cities and streets.
“A darker view of this moment is that this is a precursor of militarizing American cities and streets and confronting American citizens with military might,” Parker said. “I think we ought to take this moment very seriously – both those of us here in DC, but Americans writ large.”
The Trump administration has highlighted the number of arrests made in the city, with Attorney General Pam Bondi sharing daily updates.
However, it’s unclear whether the detention of undocumented immigrants is included in the tally. Trump praised the crackdown, saying, “We’ve had some incredible results. … It’s like a different place. It’s like a different city. It’s the capital. It’s going to be the best in the world.”
Some residents, like Leroy Miles, a 75-year-old retiree, welcome the federal forces, saying, “It’s good” they’re helping local police.
However, others, like Wes, a Washington resident, expressed fear and frustration, stating, “We are on edge. You got people that’s scared to come out of their houses… He thrives on chaos. And if there ain’t no chaos, he creates chaos.”
The deployment has sparked concerns about local autonomy, with 80% of Washington residents opposing Trump’s takeover of DC’s police, according to a Washington Post poll.
The city’s residents are worried about the erosion of trust between law enforcement and the community, particularly with the presence of outsiders policing the city.