One Year In, D.C. Residents Split on Trump's National Guard Deployment

WASHINGTON — One year after President Donald Trump deployed National Guard troops to Washington, D.C. the military presence remains a visible fixture, drawing varied reactions from city residents. The troops began patrolling Aug. 11 as part of Trump's response to crime in the district.

The deployment initially sparked outrage among left-wing activists, who organized "Free DC" rallies complete with pot-and-pan noise demonstrations. Congressional Democrats called the move "authoritarian."

Trump has since extended the deployment through 2029, timed to coincide with the end of his term. The sustained presence is projected to cost billions of dollars.

Some residents back the ongoing deployment. Scott Morgan, a former U.S. Marine, told the Washington Examiner the city "does feel a lot safer and, believe it or not, in some ways it looks a lot cleaner." Morgan also said he saw Guard members provide first aid at a bus stop near Farragut Square.

A woman at the Farragut North Metro station echoed that view. "I do love what President Trump is doing, and I feel secure with the National Guard, 100 percent," she said.

Others are less decided. Nick, a young man from Fairfax, Virginia, interviewed at Union Station, said he had not had many interactions with the troops and "never felt anything negative in that way." He said he was "more on the neutral side."

A business owner outside the Farragut West station said the troops' visibility — "around every corner or two or three" — gave him a sense of additional safety and increased the chance of intervention if an incident occurred.

Not everyone has warmed to the presence. A woman walking near the McPherson Square Metro station said the troops need to "go back where they came from."

The Guard troops generally take a hands-off approach compared to police, but maintain an imposing presence inside Metro stations, particularly to deter fare-gate jumpers.

The deployment has drawn legal scrutiny as well. A Washington woman filed a lawsuit in July, claiming Guard troops "violently" detained her on her property in May after she was accused of pouring liquid on troops in an earlier incident.

Trump has since extended the deployment through 2029, timed to coincide with the end of his term. The sustained presence is projected to cost billions of dollars.

A woman at the Farragut North Metro station echoed that view. "I do love what President Trump is doing, and I feel secure with the National Guard, 100 percent," she said.

Not everyone has warmed to the presence. A woman walking near the McPherson Square Metro station said the troops need to "go back where they came from."

The Guard troops generally take a hands-off approach compared to police, but maintain an imposing presence inside Metro stations, particularly to deter fare-gate jumpers.