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Several thousand residents of Washington, D.C., took to the streets on Saturday to protest the presence of National Guard troops patrolling their neighborhoods. The rally, titled “We Are All D.C.,” drew a diverse crowd—including undocumented immigrants and supporters of Palestine—who voiced their opposition to federal law enforcement in the city. Protesters held signs reading “Trump must go now,” “Free D.C.,” and “Resist Tyranny,” while chanting against President Trump.
One demonstrator, Alex Laufer, explained, “I’m here to oppose what I see as an occupation of D.C.,” emphasizing the need to remove federal police and National Guard forces from the streets. The deployment, announced last month by Trump, was justified by officials as necessary to restore law and order amid concerns over rising crime levels. Trump also placed the city’s Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and sent federal personnel—including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents—into the city.
Despite the government’s assertions, data from the Justice Department indicated that violent crime in Washington hit its lowest point in three decades in 2024, despite the increased federal presence. The National Guard in D.C. is tasked as a state militia, reporting to the president, except when activated by the states’ governors.
Critics, like Casey who preferred not to reveal his last name, warned that the federal government’s tactics in D.C. resemble oppressive measures seen in authoritarian regimes. “What they’re doing in D.C. is a test — and if people accept it, it could spread to other areas,” Casey warned. Currently, more than 2,000 troops, from six Republican-led states, are patrolling the city. The Army recently extended their deployment through November 30, with no clear end in sight.
Local authorities have challenged this move; D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit to block the troop deployment, arguing it violates constitutional rights and federal laws. Meanwhile, some residents have welcomed the presence of the Guard, especially in less affluent neighborhoods where crime has been more severe.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has praised the federal law enforcement surge but hopes that the National Guard’s mission will conclude soon, citing notable declines in crime, including carjackings, since the deployment began. She also signed a directive to improve coordination with federal agencies.
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