National Guard troops appear in Washington DC as mayor rejects Trump's 'authoritarian push'

August 13, 2025

The US National Guard has been deployed to Washington DC after President Trump took control of the city's police force, claiming violent crime was out of control. Around 800 National Guard troops and 500 federal law enforcement agents are expected to be deployed, with armored vehicles spotted at urban centers and tourist sites. Mayor Muriel Bowser has criticized the deployment as an "authoritarian push," while official crime statistics show violent offenses in DC have actually decreased to their lowest level in 30 years.

Who is affected

Washington DC residents
Local law enforcement in Washington DC
Tourists in the city
People arrested by federal agents (23 individuals on Monday night)
Violent crime victims, including the victim of the recent Logan Circle homicide
DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and her administration
Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith

What action is being taken

National Guard troops are being deployed throughout Washington DC
Federal agents are aiding local law enforcement
Security barricades are being erected outside government buildings
The US Secret Service is bolstering security outside the White House
Federal agents are conducting arrests for various offenses
A manhunt is underway for an armed assailant responsible for the 100th homicide in DC this year
Mayor Bowser is holding town halls and meeting with US Attorney General Pam Bondi

Why it matters

The deployment represents a federal intervention in a locally-governed city
There's disagreement over crime trends, with official statistics showing violent crime down 26% this year while President Trump claims it's rising
The situation highlights political tensions between Republican federal leadership and Democratic city leadership
It raises questions about local autonomy and home rule for Washington DC
The DC Police Union chairman claims the department is "deliberately falsifying crime data"
The capital's homicide rate remains higher than average compared to other major US cities
President Trump has threatened similar deployments against other Democrat-led cities

What's next

"Over the course of the next month, the Trump administration will relentlessly pursue and arrest every violent criminal in the District who breaks the law, undermines public safety, and endangers law-abiding Americans."

Read full article from source: BBC