In Washington, D.C., anger spilled into the streets Wednesday as residents confronted a growing army of federal agents and National Guard troops patrolling their neighborhoods. The protests reportedly occurred just hours after the White House confirmed that forces would now be deployed around the clock, with more arriving in the coming days.
On the bustling 14th Street Northwest, police checkpoints slowed traffic as demonstrators shouted, “Go home, fascists” and “Get off our streets.” Some blocked intersections, waving drivers away from the roadblocks.
The tension comes on the heels of President Donald Trump’s move to seize control of the city’s police department for at least 30 days, a power granted only in the nation’s capital. Trump has framed the takeover as a necessary response to what he calls a “crime emergency,” despite city statistics showing violent crime at a 30-year low following a spike two years ago.
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D.C.’s Democratic mayor has tried to strike a balance, at times calling the takeover an “authoritarian push” while also conceding it could temporarily bolster public safety. Meanwhile, Trump has hinted he may seek to extend his control or ask Congress to grant his administration broader authority over the city. “We’re gonna do this very quickly. But we’re gonna want extensions,” he said, adding that a national emergency was on the table if needed.
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In the last two days, federal agents have multiplied across the city. Homeland Security Investigations teams patrolled U Street, DEA officers roamed the National Mall, and FBI agents were stationed along Massachusetts Avenue. National Guard members were visible in multiple neighborhoods, with more active missions set to begin Thursday.
The ramp-up has already produced more than 100 arrests since the surge began last week. On Tuesday night alone, 1,450 federal and local officers took 43 people into custody, mostly for traffic violations, unlawful entry, or existing warrants. D.C. Councilmember Christina Henderson dismissed the numbers as overblown, saying, “I’m looking at this list of arrests and they sound like a normal Saturday night in any big city.”
Trump’s supporters, however, see the operation as a fulfillment of campaign promises. White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers declared, “President Trump is delivering on his campaign promise to clean up this city and restore American Greatness to our cherished capital.”
READ ALSO: Trump to take control of D.C. police, deploy National Guard in crime crackdown
The show of force isn’t limited to policing. Federal agents have also been dismantling homeless encampments, with Park Police removing dozens of tents since March and preparing to clear two more this week. Those who refuse shelter or treatment could face fines or jail, according to the White House.
Critics note that the heightened security presence comes as violent crime is falling nationwide. Adam Gelb, president of the Council on Criminal Justice, said Washington’s violence levels remain higher than in many major cities, but the trend has been downward since pandemic-era spikes.
For some residents, the sight of uniformed troops near homes and subway stations is unsettling. “It’s more fearful now because even though you’re a law-abiding citizen … you don’t know,” said D.C. native Sheina Taylor in an AP report. “Especially because I’m African American.”
READ ALSO: Trump orders federal police surge in D.C. to ‘make the city safe again’
