Photo: Getty Images North America
National Guard troops and armored vehicles were spotted across Washington, D.C. on Tuesday (August 12) amid Trump's effort to combat what he claims is an "out of control" crime wave, per BBC.
Roughly 800 National Guard troops and 500 federal agents are expected to be deployed in D.C. On Tuesday, troops appeared to be erecting barricades outside government buildings and posing for photos with tourists at popular landmarks.
The deployment comes after Trump announced federal control over D.C.'s police force on Monday (August 11).
“This is an authoritarian push,” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said in response to Trump's takeover.
Trump has also threatened to send federal forces to other Democrat-led cities like New York and Chicago, accusing them of failing to contain violent crime. Recent data shows violent crime in D.C. has dropped 26 percent in 2025 compared to this time last year, contradicting Trump's claims of "rampant lawlessness" in the city.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said 23 people were arrested Monday night on charges ranging from gun and drug offenses to stalking and reckless driving.
“This is only the beginning,” she said. “We will relentlessly pursue and arrest every violent criminal.”
The federal deployment is expected to last at least a month, but could be extended.
The Black Information Network is your source for Black News! Get the latest news 24/7 on The Black Information Network. Listen now on the iHeartRadio app or click HERE to tune in live.