Crowds on Demand Reports 400% Surge in DC Paid Protester Requests After Trump Federalizes Police

Following President Donald Trump's announcement to federalize Washington, D.C.'s police force and deploy National Guard troops amid rising violent crime, a crowd rental company has reported a 400% surge in inquiries for paid protesters in the city. Crowds on Demand CEO Adam Swart revealed that most political or advocacy event attendees in D.C. are compensated, including Capitol Hill staffers who may be expected to attend rallies as part of their jobs, suggesting many protests are not wholly organic. While many requests are aimed at opposing Trump's policies and raising concerns about government overreach, the company is cautious about balancing critiques of local government failures with the risks of concentrating too much power federally. Trump justified the federal control citing violent crime incidents, such as the brutal attack on former Department of Government Efficiency employee Edward Coristine, emphasizing the need for stronger law enforcement measures. The surge in paid protester demand highlights the intensified political tensions and orchestrated nature of demonstrations in the capital following Trump's crime crackdown. Media coverage, critics argue, often overlooks the financial incentives behind protest participation, potentially misleading the public about the spontaneity of these events.