National Guard Troops Deploy in Washington DC Amid Mayor's Criticism of 'Authoritarian Push'
Armoured vehicles and troops deployed in Washington DC as Mayor Muriel Bowser calls the move an 'authoritarian push' while federal authorities aim to curb violent crime.
National Guard Deployment
US National Guard troops have taken to the streets of Washington DC a day after President Donald Trump ordered their deployment and assumed direct oversight of the city's police force, citing concerns over violent crime.
Armoured vehicles appeared at key urban centres and tourist sites late Tuesday, with officials expecting 800 National Guard members and 500 federal law enforcement agents in the coming days.
Local Opposition and Federal Goals
Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, rejected the deployment as an "authoritarian push," arguing that crime in her city is under control. President Trump has also threatened similar actions in New York and Chicago, two other Democratic-led cities.
The troops have been seen erecting barricades outside government buildings and even taking photos with tourists. On Monday night, federal agents arrested 23 people on charges ranging from homicide and gun offences to drug dealing and reckless driving, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said.
Crime Figures and Ongoing Hunts
FBI Director Kash Patel noted that FBI agents participated in about half of those arrests. Local leaders, including Bowser and Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, affirmed their shared goal of removing illegal guns and protecting public safety.
The deployment coincides with a manhunt for a suspect accused of killing a man in Logan Circle, marking Washington's 100th homicide this year. According to the Metropolitan Police, violent crime peaked in 2023 but fell 35% last year, though the police union and FBI data suggest smaller declines.
The surge of federal troops reflects a sharp escalation in the government's approach to urban crime, sparking a fierce debate over public safety and civil liberties in the nation's capital.
This topic was reported by BBC News.
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