UPDATE: In a significant escalation, some National Guard units patrolling Washington D.C. have started carrying firearms as part of President Donald Trump‘s directive. This move, confirmed earlier today, marks a bold step in Trump’s military deployment strategy, which could soon extend to other major cities like Baltimore, Chicago, and New York.
The Pentagon announced that select units are now armed, with some members equipped with handguns and others with rifles. A Defense Department official stated that these troops have undergone training and are operating under strict rules of engagement, emphasizing that force will be used only as a last resort. This change took effect on September 24, 2023, with reports of South Carolina National Guard members spotted outside Union Station, visibly armed.
The backdrop to this decision includes Trump’s ongoing conflict with Democratic governors and mayors, particularly following a heated exchange with Maryland Governor Wes Moore. While Moore invited Trump to discuss public safety in Baltimore, Trump retorted that he might deploy military forces to the city instead, calling it a response to crime. “If Wes Moore needs help… I will send in the ‘troops,’” Trump claimed, referencing similar deployments he made in Los Angeles last year.
In Baltimore, crime statistics show a decline, with 200 homicides reported last year, down 24% from the previous year. Governor Moore responded to Trump’s remarks, urging that the president’s claims about crime rates are misleading. “I’m spending my time talking about the people I serve,” Moore stated, emphasizing his commitment to the residents of Maryland.
As National Guard troops and federal law enforcement patrol Washington D.C., sporadic protests have erupted among local residents concerned about the militarization of the city. Videos circulating on social media show arrests and tensions rising in various neighborhoods, highlighting the community’s unease. Notably, civil rights leaders like the Rev. Al Sharpton have condemned the presence of armed troops, declaring that it is about profiling and racism.
Trump’s military strategy appears to be part of a broader agenda to assert federal control over cities he labels as dangerous. “I think Chicago will be our next,” Trump stated, signaling an aggressive approach towards cities governed by Democrats. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker pushed back, asserting there is no emergency that justifies such a deployment. “Donald Trump is attempting to manufacture a crisis,” he said, stressing his commitment to protect the citizens of Illinois.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed these sentiments, asserting that the city does not need “a military occupation.” Johnson has vowed to legally challenge any potential military deployment, stating, “We’re not going to surrender our humanity to this tyrant.”
As this situation develops, all eyes will be on Trump’s next moves and the local responses to his controversial military strategy. The implications of this armed presence in Washington D.C., and its potential expansion, are far-reaching and will undoubtedly continue to spark debate and unrest across the nation.
Stay tuned for further updates as this urgent situation unfolds.
