Chicago Sunday, August 17th, 2025
Federal Takeover of Washington DC Police Sparks Controversy
President Donald Trump has called upon the National Guard troops to help keep Washington, D.C. safe. Republican governors from three states – West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio – have agreed to send hundreds of troops to the capital city. This decision comes after Trump portrayed Washington, D.C. as a city plagued by crime, despite Justice Department data showing that violent crime hit a 30-year low in 2024.
The governors of West Virginia and South Carolina made the announcements on Saturday, a day after D.C. officials and the Trump administration reached a deal. The deal allows Mayor Muriel Bowser’s appointed police chief, Pamela Smith, to remain in charge of the police department. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey’s office stated that he is deploying 300 to 400 National Guard troops to D.C. to show commitment to public safety and regional cooperation.
The National Guard troops will provide support to the local police department. However, some people are questioning the need for this deployment. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed her concerns on social media, stating that having American soldiers policing American citizens on American soil is “un-American”. The situation is still unfolding, and it remains to be seen how the deployment of National Guard troops will impact the city.
