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| Nee-Nee Taylor, co-founder of Fee DC and executive director of Harriet's Wildest Dreams, speaks during the "We Are All DC" march protesting National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., U.S., September 6, 2025. — Reuters |
Mass Protests Erupt in Washington Over Trump’s National Guard Deployment
Nee-Nee Taylor, co-founder of
Fee DC and executive director of Harriet's Wildest Dreams, speaks during the
"We Are All DC" march protesting National Guard troops in Washington,
D.C., U.S., September 6, 2025. — Reuters WASHINGTON: Thousands of people in
Washington DC took to the...
WASHINGTON — The streets of
Washington DC were filled with chants, banners, and defiance on Saturday as
thousands of protesters rallied against President Donald Trump’s decision to
deploy National Guard troops in the nation’s capital.
The march, organized under the banner “We
Are All DC”, drew a diverse crowd that included undocumented immigrants,
pro-Palestinian activists, and ordinary residents angry about what they
described as an erosion of freedoms.
Posters reading “Trump must go now,”
“Free DC,” and “Resist Tyranny” waved above the crowd, while
voices thundered against what they called the “occupation” of the city.
“I’m here to protest the occupation of
DC,” said local resident Alex Laufer. “We’re opposing an authoritarian regime,
and we need to get the federal police and the National Guard off our streets.”
A Show of Force
President Trump justified the
deployment by claiming crime was blighting the city and that troops were
necessary to “re-establish law, order, and public safety.” Alongside the
military buildup, he also placed DC’s Metropolitan Police Department under direct
federal control and dispatched federal law enforcement personnel, including
members of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
But the move came under immediate
scrutiny. Justice Department data revealed that violent crime in Washington
in 2024 was at a 30-year low, contradicting Trump’s narrative.
The DC National Guard is unique
in that it reports directly to the president, unlike state-based units that
answer to governors. Currently, more than 2,000 troops, some from
Republican-led states, are patrolling the city, with their mission extended at
least until November 30.
Resistance and Fears
of Authoritarianism
For many protesters, the troop presence
represents more than just a security issue. “What they’re trying to do in DC is
what dictatorships do,” said Casey, a demonstrator who declined to give his
last name. “They’re testing DC, and if people accept it, they’ll expand this to
other areas. We have to stop it now.”
Critics argue that Trump’s actions set
a dangerous precedent by undermining local governance and civil liberties. DC
Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit Thursday seeking to block
the deployment, calling it unconstitutional and a violation of federal
law.
Divided Reactions
Among Residents
Not all Washingtonians oppose the
presence of troops. Some residents in high-crime neighborhoods have welcomed
the deployment, arguing that their communities need more protection. The National
Guard has mostly been stationed in downtown and tourist areas, but some
locals are urging expansion to less affluent districts where crime remains a
concern.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has walked a
fine line. While she praised the influx of federal law enforcement for helping
reduce crime — noting sharp drops in carjackings — she also expressed hope that
the National Guard mission ends soon, restoring full control to local
authorities.
A City at a
Crossroads
The protests reflect a city deeply
divided, caught between fears of authoritarian overreach and demands for
stronger safety measures. As thousands of voices echoed through the capital, one
thing was clear: Washington DC has become the frontline of a larger battle over
democracy, freedom, and federal power.