Democrats in Washington, D.C., are expressing frustration not due to rising violent crime, but because President Donald Trump has taken measures to reduce it.
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A recent Washington Post-Schar School poll indicates that approximately 80% of D.C. residents oppose Trump's deployment of the National Guard. Conducted between August 14 and August 17, the survey included 604 residents and has a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points.
This discontent is not unexpected, as media narratives have echoed similar sentiments. A CNN report from August 14 highlighted public outrage regarding the federal law enforcement presence in the city.
Local resident Mara Lasko described the National Guard's presence as "crazy," stating that it incites anger among citizens. "I don’t think they’re actually doing anything productive to make our city a safer place," she added.
PBS News reported on how residents are adjusting to life under what they perceive as federal control, with some likening the situation to a military coup rather than a protective measure against crime.
One protester interviewed by PBS claimed that Trump is "trying to make it less and less safe and make you more and more scared," asserting that "most people do not want this."
Despite the protests, The New York Times noted that D.C. residents are "overwhelmingly liberal," which may influence their reactions to Trump's policies. The poll results, showing that roughly 80% of residents oppose the National Guard's deployment, might carry less weight considering that over 70% of respondents identified as Democrats, who often respond negatively to Trump's actions.
However, recent crime statistics suggest that the National Guard's presence has had a positive impact. For the first time in years, D.C. has recorded seven consecutive days without a homicide. Additionally, the city has seen an 83% decrease in carjackings, a 46% drop in robberies, a 21% reduction in car thefts, and a 22% overall decrease in crime, according to Fox45.
Despite this, 65% of poll respondents expressed skepticism, believing that the deployment would not reduce violent crime in the city. Yet, the data indicates otherwise: crime rates have fallen, and D.C. streets are reportedly safer than they have been in years. This raises questions about the validity of the outrage expressed by some Democrats and media outlets regarding the National Guard's role in the city.
Brianna Lyman is an elections correspondent at The Federalist. She graduated from Fordham University with a degree in International Political Economy and has contributed to various media outlets, including Newsmax and Fox News. Follow Brianna on X: @briannalyman2.
Why it matters
- Democrats in D.C. are frustrated with Trump's National Guard deployment despite a drop in crime rates.
- A significant 80% of D.C. residents oppose the National Guard's presence, reflecting local discontent.
- Recent crime statistics show a notable decrease in violent crime, contradicting public skepticism about the National Guard's effectiveness.
What’s next
- Local protests against the National Guard's presence may continue as residents voice their concerns.
- Further polling may be conducted to gauge changing public sentiment on crime and federal intervention.
- City officials may review the National Guard's role based on ongoing crime trends and public feedback.
