National Guard troops deployed to Washington D.C. under President Trump’s ‘Operation Restore Order,’ triggering condemnation from Mayor Muriel Bowser who denounced it as an authoritarian overreach. The unprecedented move federalizes local police and stations armed troops throughout the capital to combat rising violent crime.
Approximately 1,000 National Guard troops began gathering near the National Mall early Wednesday following Trump’s Monday announcement placing D.C. police under federal control. Citing summer crime spikes, Trump declared the capital ‘out of control’ and authorized troops to make arrests while supporting local law enforcement. Armored vehicles and armed personnel were photographed near the Washington Monument overnight.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser immediately condemned the deployment as an ‘unprecedented federal overreach,’ accusing Trump of using the city for political theater. During a Tuesday press conference, she vowed resistance, asserting the move undermines local governance and democratic principles. Legal scholars note this marks the first modern federal takeover of a municipal police force without state consent.
The operation has divided residents, with some welcoming enhanced security in high-crime neighborhoods while others fear escalated tensions and civil rights violations. Business owners near tourist sites anticipate disruptions during peak season, and civil rights organizations warn of potential unconstitutional searches and racial profiling.
Legal challenges appear imminent, with the D.C. Council convening an emergency session Wednesday to explore litigation. Constitutional debates center on whether the 1807 Insurrection Act cited by the administration justifies intervention without mayoral consent. Civil rights groups are preparing parallel lawsuits alleging Fourth Amendment violations.
Defense Department officials confirmed troops will operate under military use-of-force protocols, emphasizing de-escalation tactics. The federal police takeover automatically expires in 30 days without congressional approval, setting up a legislative battle. Trump has warned other cities like Chicago could face similar interventions if they ‘fail to address lawlessness.’