National Guard Deployed in Washington After Trump Order

Troops Take Position in US Capital

Two days after President Trump's announcement, National Guard troops have been deployed throughout Washington D.C. Armored vehicles are stationed downtown, with barriers erected around government buildings. A White House spokesperson confirmed to CNN that operations focus on high-traffic areas.

Controversial Deployment

President Trump ordered 800 National Guard members to the capital, claiming it's necessary to combat "excessive crime." However, Washington police statistics show a 7% overall crime decrease compared to last year, with violent crimes down 26%.

Local Opposition

Mayor Muriel Bowser condemned the deployment as an "authoritarian move." She stated: "We must elect a Democratic House to create a safety net against this authoritarian advance." This follows similar deployments in Los Angeles earlier this year.

Legal Context

The District of Columbia National Guard operates under presidential authority according to federal law. This marks the first time since 1969 that troops have been federalized against local government objections.