A year into a national guard deployment, DC residents say they live in ‘a city under siege’
Summary
Nearly a year after President Donald Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops to Washington DC under a crime emergency order, many residents say they feel the city is under siege rather than safer. The troop presence, extended until January 2029, includes patrolling public places, but local officials have limited control over the deployment and remain critical of its impact.Key Facts
- President Trump ordered thousands of National Guard troops to Washington DC starting in August 2024 to address crime.
- The initial troop numbers of 2,000-2,500 doubled to over 5,000 during the city’s 250th birthday events in summer 2025.
- The deployment is authorized by a presidential executive order extended through January 2029.
- DC officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and DC Council Chair Phil Mendelson, have little control over the troops because DC is not a state.
- Many local residents protest nightly using a cacerolazo (banging pots and pans) to show resistance against the military presence.
- Some residents and officials say the armed troops make the city feel unsafe and hurt its reputation as a welcoming place.
- The federal Department of Justice reports that the related DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force, involving over 30 agencies, has made nearly 14,000 arrests and removed over 1,500 illegal guns since August 2024.
- The task force includes agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and will continue operations for three more years.
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