Thousands Protest Trump’s National Guard Deployment in Washington D.C.
Several thousand residents of Washington D.C. marched on Saturday to demand that President Donald Trump end the deployment of National Guard troops patrolling the city’s streets. The “We Are All D.C.” march drew a diverse crowd, including undocumented immigrants and supporters of Palestine. Protesters carried signs reading “Trump must go now,” “Free DC,” and “Resist Tyranny,” while chanting slogans against the president.
“I’m here to protest the occupation of D.C.,” said Alex Laufer. “We’re opposing the authoritarian regime, and we need to get the federal police and the National Guard off our streets.”
Last month, Trump deployed more than 2,000 troops, including units from six Republican-led states, claiming the measure would “re-establish law, order, and public safety.” He also placed the city’s Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and sent federal law enforcement personnel, including members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to patrol the streets.
Critics point out that violent crime in 2024 reached a 30-year low in the city, according to Justice Department data. Protester Casey (who declined to provide a last name) said, “What they’re trying to do in D.C. is what they’re trying to do in other dictatorships. They’re testing D.C., and if people tolerate it enough, they’re gonna do it to more areas. We have to stop it while we still can.”
The National Guard, normally under the authority of state governors, reports directly to the president in D.C., making the capital unique in its chain of command. The Army recently extended the orders for the D.C. National Guard through November 30, though the end date for the mission remains unclear.
Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit seeking to block the deployment, arguing that it is unconstitutional and violates multiple federal laws. Meanwhile, some residents have welcomed the National Guard presence, suggesting it should focus on higher-crime areas rather than downtown and tourist zones.
Mayor Muriel Bowser praised the federal surge for reducing crime, including carjackings, but expressed hope that the National Guard’s mission would conclude soon. She also signed an order requiring the city to coordinate with federal law enforcement during the deployment.
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