Deployment of national guard in Washington; U.S. capital takes on a military face

A new image of law enforcement in the U.S. capital emerged with the arrival of some 800 National Guard members deployed by the federal government.

City police and federal officials took initial steps in what has been described as a not-so-serious collaboration to reduce crime in a city that President Donald Trump labeled “lawless” without any evidence.

The deployment came the morning after the Republican president announced he had activated the Guard and would take control of the city’s police department.

This is an action temporarily allowed under the law; Trump cited a crime emergency, though the city’s officials stress that crime is currently declining significantly.

The U.S. government stated that National Guard members are expected to be on the streets from Tuesday night local time. Meanwhile, the military confirmed that no details about their patrol locations have been released.

Muriel Bowser, Washington’s mayor, pledged to cooperate with federal authorities, who Trump tasked with overseeing law enforcement in the city.

Relations between Washington officials and Trump have been tense; while Trump cites his plan with statements like “we intend to take back our capital,” city officials note that violent crime in Washington, after a sharp rise in 2023, is now at its lowest level in 30 years.

Trump also transferred control of the D.C. police to the federal government under Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.

With the arrival and deployment of National Guard troops, Washington, D.C., has taken on a markedly security-focused and military appearance.