Trump Expands National Guard in D.C. Amid Rising Concerns Over Safety

President Donald Trump is taking decisive action to restore order in the nation’s capital by expanding the National Guard presence and bringing in federal support to strengthen law enforcement efforts. The move, which more than doubles the Guard presence in Washington, underscores the president’s focus on public safety and his unwillingness to allow the capital city to slip further into disorder.

PHOTO CREDIT: U.S. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD / TECH. SGT. ANDREW ENRIQUEZ

Guard members from Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, and West Virginia are joining the existing 800-strong D.C. contingent, creating a formidable security presence at a time when concerns about crime and unrest remain high. Governors from these Republican-led states have answered Trump’s call, with Mississippi’s Tate Reeves declaring bluntly that “crime is out of control” and that action is urgently needed.

Not every GOP governor is on board, however. Vermont’s Phil Scott chose to keep his Guard members at home, saying he doesn’t view law enforcement as a “proper use” of the National Guard unless requested by local officials. His office dismissed the effort as “politicized,” but many conservatives see Scott’s refusal as a failure to recognize the seriousness of rising crime and the federal government’s obligation to protect the capital.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has also criticized Trump’s actions, insisting that crime levels have dipped and portraying the deployment as unnecessary. Yet residents and visitors continue to witness violence, carjackings, and vandalism that have plagued the city in recent years. The president’s executive order declaring a “crime emergency” in Washington reflects the reality that city leaders have been slow to act, while the safety of citizens and the image of the capital are at stake.

Federal agents, including personnel from the DEA, ICE, FBI, and Secret Service, are now reinforcing the effort. The White House has signaled that Guard members may soon be armed, consistent with their mission to safeguard federal property, deter violent crime, and ensure that law enforcement officers can do their jobs without being overwhelmed.

PHOTO CREDIT: U.S. ARMY / SGT. THOMAS SCAGGS

Critics deride the move as “militarization” or a “photo op,” but Trump’s supporters see it as long-overdue leadership. The National Guard is not being sent to occupy the city or intimidate citizens; rather, its role is to provide a stabilizing presence, assist police when necessary, and show criminals that the capital is not a safe haven for violence.

Americans expect their capital city to represent strength and order—not lawlessness. By calling in additional Guard units and mobilizing federal assets, President Trump is sending a clear message: the safety of our nation’s capital will not be compromised by weak local leadership or political grandstanding.

Trump’s actions demonstrate the difference between talk and results. While some officials debate process, the president is putting boots on the ground to protect citizens, preserve order, and reaffirm that Washington belongs to the American people—not to criminals.