Washington, D.C., has officially entered the “please hold while we get the National Guard” era.
President Trump declared a state of emergency in the nation’s capital this week, asserting that the federal government would seize control of the city’s police as well as deploy the National Guard. All claimed as needed to restore “law and order.”
Crime in America is a real discussion that needs to be tapped; however, it needs to be approached rationally. We all can agree that we don’t want any resident, tourist, or employee to be the victim of any form of crime. But what is interesting to me is the gap of perception between the administration and the raw numbers. If you hadn’t seen any of the numbers and just kept up with the holy grail “new” outlet, Truth Social, you would think that Washington was in an apocalyptic and anarchic state. In reality crime is down significantly from its peak, including violent crime. Not to try and downplay the crimes that still exist, just trying to bring things back to reality and rationality.
Now we’re seeing military vehicles driving through the nation’s capital. Because nothing says “normal Tuesday in America” like a Humvee parked near the Washington Monument
The administration has also suggested the Guard may be armed, although Guard members aren’t currently making arrests and are mainly there to support law enforcement and protect federal property. At the same time, Republican governors in several states said they plan to send hundreds more Guard members to Washington.
Trump claims this move is simply about restoring order. However, critics say it is a move that dramatically increases the scope of federal power over a city that usually governs itself.
Either way, Washington has become the latest reminder that American politics can’t seem to do anything quietly anymore.
Either way, Washington has become that latest reminder that politics cant seem to do anything quietly anymore, rather the opposite. I think they prefer it that way.
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