National Guard Deploys in DC Amid Federal Crime Response

President Trump announced a federal takeover of Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department and deployed approximately 800 National Guard troops to address what he described as rampant violent crime, despite official data showing significant declines in violent offenses in the city. Trump also plans to remove homeless encampments from public spaces, which has raised concerns among local officials. Mayor Muriel Bowser has engaged with federal officials to coordinate the deployment and ensure effective use of the additional personnel. The Pentagon is monitoring the situation closely and has emphasized that military personnel trained for combat will not perform policing roles, aiming to limit the use of force. Meanwhile, Baltimore officials strongly oppose similar federal troop deployments in their city, criticizing the President's approach as a misguided power grab that undermines local public safety strategies proven to reduce violence. Critics argue that the administration is increasingly relying on military resources for domestic political goals, which has previously affected morale within the National Guard and public opinion.