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Protesters demand US President Donald Trump to withdraw Guard troops from DC, citing low crime and constitutional concerns, while some residents and officials support the deployment for public safety.
Demonstrators attend the "We Are All DC" march to protest against Guard troops in Washington, DC
New Delhi,UPDATED: Sep 6, 2025 23:46 IST
Several thousand residents of Washington DC marched on Saturday to demand US President Donald Trump to end the deployment of Guard troops patrolling the city’s streets.
Participants in the "We Are All DC" march included undocumented immigrants and supporters of Palestine. Protesters shouted slogans criticising Trump and carried signs with messages such as "Trump must go now," "Free DC," and "Resist Tyranny."
"I'm here to protest the occupation of DC," said Alex Laufer. "We're opposing the authoritarian regime, and we need to get the federal police and the Guard off our streets."
Trump said he deployed the troops last month to "re-establish law, order, and public safety," claiming crime was plaguing the city.
He also placed Washington DC's Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and sent in federal law enforcement personnel, including agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
STATS INDICATE CRIME RATES REACH 30 YEAR LOW
However, Justice Department statistics show that violent crime in Washington reached a 30-year low in 2024. The city is a self-governing federal district under US Congressional jurisdiction.
The Guard operates as a militia under the authority of state governors unless federalised. In Washington DC, the Guard reports directly to the president.
"What they're trying to do in DC is what they're trying to do with other dictatorships," said Casey, who did not provide his last name. "They're testing DC, and if people tolerate it enough, they're gonna do it to more and more areas. So we have to stop it while we still can."
More than 2,000 troops are currently patrolling the capital, including forces from six Republican-led states. While there is no clear end date for their deployment, the Army extended the DC Guard's orders through November 30.
LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST DEPLOYMENT
On Thursday, Washington DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to block the deployment. He argued that the move is unconstitutional and violates several federal laws. Despite this, some residents have voiced support for the Guard and requested that troops be stationed in less affluent neighbourhoods where crime rates are higher. The Guard has primarily been seen in downtown and tourist-heavy areas.
Mayor Muriel Bowser praised Trump’s deployment of federal law enforcement in the city but expressed hope that the Guard’s mission would conclude soon. Bowser noted a significant drop in crime, including carjackings, since the federal surge. This week, she signed an order directing the city to coordinate with federal law enforcement agencies.
- Ends
With inputs from Reuters
Published By:
Ishita Bajpai
Published On:
Sep 6, 2025
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