One year ago, former President Trump declared a “crime emergency” in Washington, D.C. He alleged without evidence that the city suffered from violent gangs, roaming mobs, and homeless people. In response, he deployed around 800 members of the D.C. National Guard, alongside more than 1,000 guardsmen from cooperating states to protect law-abiding citizens.
Today, 4,600 troops patrol the city, contrary to the wishes of the local government. This move violates American traditions, endangers public safety, and has cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars. Despite the lack of impact on crime rates, Trump advocates keeping the troops, hoping Americans will ignore the situation.
Initial claims of a “crime emergency” were unfounded. Washington’s murder rate decreased from 274 in 2023 to 187 in 2024. Emergencies require unforeseen crises, not ordinary urban crime that can be addressed through standard governmental tools.
The use of military in policing is unprecedented, violating American civic norms. Troops deployed for domestic purposes foster tyranny if civilian authorities are not overwhelmed. Military personnel lack training in local law enforcement, constitutional rights, or evidence collection, leading to incidents of improper detentions and excessive force.
An analysis showed a slight reduction in property crime, but no significant impact on violent crime rates due to the deployment. The operation costs taxpayers over $3 million per day, with recent agreements to provide housing for guardsmen resulting in further expenses.
Trump’s administration plans to maintain nearly 5,000 troops through January 2029, incurring $1.4 billion in costs beyond current spending. A deployment spanning years contradicts the nature of true emergencies.
The normalization of military use as a police force poses risks. It opens possibilities for military involvement in protests or attempts to block congressional actions with force.
The presence of troops during the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence adds irony. The document criticizes King George III for deploying armies without legislative consent, showing historical precedence against such measures. Americans must stay vigilant and demand an end to the deployment, resisting the normalization of military policing.
Joseph Nunn, a counsel at the Brennan Center, focuses on U.S. military’s domestic activities including the Insurrection Act and the Posse Comitatus Act.
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