President of the United States, Donald Trump has vowed to keep federal forces in Washington, DC, even as criticism grows from city officials and residents. He said the deployment will continue until the capital is “absolutely safe.”
On Thursday, President Trump visited a US Park Police facility, where he met with troops and officers. Last week, he ordered hundreds of National Guard members into Washington, insisting it was part of a crackdown on crime. Trump declared, “We’re going to stay here for a while. We want to make this absolutely perfect.”
Trump dismissed statistics showing violent crime falling, calling the city’s problems a “crime emergency.” He had hinted at patrolling with troops but instead made a short speech, handed out food, and spoke with officers. Trump also promised to improve Washington’s parks, joking about his experience with golf courses.
Later, Donald Trump claimed on social media that the city recorded “no murders this week for the first time in memory.” He accused Mayor Muriel Bowser of giving “false crime statistics” and warned of a possible federal takeover of the city’s police.
The deployment has drawn mixed reactions. Some residents credit Trump for addressing crime in their neighborhoods. Others, however, say the heavy security presence is unnecessary and fails to focus on the most violent areas.
The DC National Guard has mobilized 800 troops, supported by 1,200 reinforcements from Republican-led states. These troops now patrol tourist hotspots such as the National Mall and Nationals Park. Viral moments, including the arrest of a man nicknamed the “sandwich guy,” have fueled tensions.
Trump has also tried to expand control over Washington’s police force. His move follows earlier deployments of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles. This comes as the city witnesses unrest after immigration raids by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
