National Guard deployment in DC

ABC News host Martha Raddatz interviews Sen Chris Van Hollen about President Trump deploying the National Guard to Washington DC.

Van Hollen argues armed DC National Guard would be troubling

Senator Chris Van Hollen says the decision to deploy the National Guard to Washington DC amounts to an abuse of power and a manufactured emergency. He notes that crime in DC is at a 30 year low and has fallen 26 percent since 2024, and he questions why federal resources would be used to clear tents of homeless people when the city faces other security needs.

Raddatz presses about the legal bounds and the role of the federal troops. The article notes that DC police chief Pamela Smith says the extra personnel could have a positive impact, while Van Hollen argues that local police funding should come from Congress rather than relying on federal agents. The White House defends the move as lawful and necessary, and Republican states have said more Guard troops could join.

The clash highlights a larger fight over federal power in domestic policing and how crime rhetoric shapes policy. Debates over a 30 day limit and potential extensions reveal constitutional questions and the risk of court challenges. If the move persists, it could worsen partisan divides and influence how communities view safety and government spending.

For voters, the exchange signals that crime and homelessness are politically charged issues. The way leaders frame safety may influence public trust and budget choices, making the question not just about DC but about how the nation assigns responsibility for urban problems.

Highlights

The balance between security and civil liberty remains unsettled.