Washington, D.C. is turning into the latest political battleground this time not over Congress, but over crime. Multiple Republican-led states announced over the weekend that they are sending their own National Guard troops to the capital to bolster President Trump’s sweeping federal takeover of crime fighting in the District.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine each confirmed that hundreds of soldiers will be deployed in the coming days. Their moves nearly double the 800 D.C. National Guard members already mobilized, after what Trump described as a “complete and total failure” of local leadership.
“West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital,” Morrisey declared.
Trump’s initiative which includes federal control over the Metropolitan Police Department, heavy deployments of federal agents, and the National Guard stationed around landmarks like the National Mall has already sparked fierce debate.
On Truth Social, Trump bragged:
“Until 4 days ago, Washington, D.C., was the most unsafe ‘city’ in the United States, and perhaps the World. Now, in just a short period of time, it is perhaps the safest, and getting better every single hour!”
Attorney General Pam Bondi reported that more than 400 arrests have been made since the operation began, including 137 just this past weekend.
But not everyone is cheering. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) blasted the move, calling it “#UnAmerican” for U.S. soldiers and airmen to police American citizens on U.S. soil.
Critics say Trump is inflating crime numbers city data shows violent crime is actually down 26% from last year but supporters argue the visible show of force is restoring safety and confidence to the nation’s capital.
The controversy comes as forecasters warn Hurricane Erin, a powerful storm swirling in the Atlantic, could bring dangerous winds and flooding along the East Coast this week. McMaster noted his state’s troops would return home immediately if a hurricane emergency threatened South Carolina.
For now, though, the nation’s capital is bracing for a rare sight: troops from multiple U.S. states policing America’s front yard.
Also Read: Starmer at the White House: Political Theater While Ukraine Gets Sold Out
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