The National Guard in Washington, D.C., will serve as a “beacon” for other major U.S. cities, including New York and Los Angeles, President Donald Trump said Wednesday in a meandering speech at the Kennedy Center.
Trump federalized the D.C. police and deployed about 800 National Guard troops to the nation’s capital this week, claiming the city is facing “out of control” crime that is getting worse. Data shows violent crime in D.C. has been declining since 2023. Trump also noted he wants to extend federal control of the D.C. police past the current 30-day limit.
