THE National Guard has officially arrived at Washington, DC, after Trump called them in to “take our capital back.”
The president called the National Guard in on Monday as a way to control crime in the nation’s capital.
The National Guard has begun arriving in DC[/caption]
National Guard troops were seen unloading their equipment[/caption]
The arrival comes 24 hours after Trump announced the guard will take over the city’s safety[/caption]
Tuesday morning, National Guard members were seen heading into the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters.
Several guards were photographed lugging their bags as they headed into the building.
The president confirmed this week that the DC police department will now be under federal control, as he sent 800 National Guard members to the capital.
“This is Liberation Day in DC, and we’re going to take our capital back,” Trump said during a press conference.
“I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor and worse.”
Trump said that the capital had been “taken over by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals” as well as “drugged out maniacs and homeless people”.
The president called upon Attorney General Pam Bondi to manage the National Guard’s takeover of the police department.
Trump argued that DC has worse crime rates than notoriously crime-heavy cities such as Baghdad, Brasilia, San Jose, Colombia, Mexico City, and Lima, Peru.
During his press conference, the president presented a chart that showed each of those cities with lower murder rates than DC.
However, data from the DC police show that violent crime in DC is down 26% compared with last year.
The president also threatened to bring in the military to control crime, not just in DC but also in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
“We will bring in the military if it’s needed. By the way, we’re going to have National Guard, we will bring in the military if needed,” he said.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegeseth said they will follow all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the city.
“This city is beautiful, and as I always say about President Trump, to the troops, he has their back,” he said.
Trump Brings National Guard to DC
How Does Federalizing a City’s Police Force Work?
- The president can take control if local order breaks down or with city approval.
- In DC, federal law allows Congress and the president to oversee police under certain rules.
- A federal official can be put in charge of the local police temporarily.
How Do Federal Police and the National Guard Work Together?
- Federal agents (FBI, DEA, Secret Service) can assist or lead law enforcement efforts.
- The National Guard can be called in by the president to support or restore order.
- When federalized, the Guard works under federal command but usually does not handle regular policing.
- All forces must coordinate closely to avoid overlap and work effectively.
“And my message to the National Guard and federal law enforcement in Washington is we have your back as well.
“Be tough. Be strong. We’re right behind you.”
NATIONAL GUARD DEPLOYED
This isn’t the first time the National Guard has been deployed to DC.
The guard was called into the nation’s capital during President Biden’s inauguration in January 2021.
The inauguration followed the infamous Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, when violent protestors broke into the Capitol Building.
During Biden’s inauguration, over 25,000 National Guardmen were stationed across DC to ensure the safe transition of power, Fox affiliate WDCA reported.
Around 2,000 guardsmen remained in the capital until May to keep the peace of the city.
