WASHINGTON — President Trump’s takeover of Washington, DC, has put lots of of federal brokers and Nationwide Guard troops on the streets of the capital to wash up crime — and numerous residents and enterprise house owners stated they’re noticing that issues really feel safer already.
“All my staff, together with me, we really feel rather more secure, and even our prospects really feel actually joyful after they stroll into our retailer,” Indu Bhatia, who runs a liquor retailer half a mile from the White Home, instructed The Submit.
Bhatia stated her retailer was robbed so many occasions they needed to sink piles of money into renovations to extend safety.
“All we are able to do as a small enterprise proprietor is defend your self,” she stated.
It’s not simply concerning the Nationwide Guard and federal brokers on the streets, she stated — Trump additionally took over the Metropolitan Police Division, for the higher.
“I feel the native cops have been doing the job, certainly, higher,” Bhatia added.
Washington has lengthy been considered one of America’s most violent main cities — with a homicide fee that outstrips Chicago and is almost seven occasions increased than New York Metropolis.
Violence has been trending down thus far this yr, however sure classes of crime that have an effect on on a regular basis Washingtonians have skyrocketed because the pre-pandemic period.
Carjackings surged 241% between 2019 and 2024 and automobile thefts have been up 143%.
The homicide fee — although down from pandemic highs — remains to be 12% increased than it was in 2019.
Supporters of Trump’s transfer say they’re hoping it may well assist clear up town.
Mike, a 22-year-old Johns Hopkins College pupil hanging out within the close by Federal Triangle neighborhood, stated the federal takeover of the DC police drive “reveals a renewed curiosity by the Trump administration to maneuver round assets and possibly sort out the issue otherwise.”
He stated he’s talked to some of the Nationwide Guard troops stationed across the metropolis, and that they’re “fairly good guys.”
One Nationwide Guardsman stationed close to the Navy Memorial, after getting a fist bump from a supportive native, stated they’ve seen a ton of help from locals.
“We’ve had lots of people saying ‘I’m glad you’re right here doing what you’re doing — numerous fist-bumps and selfies,” he stated.
Mahesh, 26, a authorities worker who commutes to DC from Maryland, stated he’s seen speedier response occasions from cops.
“Not too long ago I went to the White Home and noticed somebody had left a bag exterior and immediately a cop went on the market and was asking folks whose bag it was. [The police] are very alert and I really feel prefer it’s very safe,” he stated.
“I feel Trump is doing proper caring for town,” he added.
One DC courts worker stated he’s seen an uptick in high quality of life fees flowing into the courthouse.
“I’ve all the time stored my head on a swivel. For some folks it might be a change, however so far as my job the one statement is we’re getting increasingly more crimes coming into the courthouse,” he stated.
“There’s a robust risk the crackdown has led to extra of these crimes ending up in courtroom.”
The nation’s capital snapped an almost unprecedented 12-day streak with no homicide Tuesday, however crime stats have been down throughout the board since Trump intervened, in response to the DC Police Union.
In an X put up Monday, the union stated within the final 14 days complete crime is down 11% citywide, with sharp reductions throughout the board together with robberies (-42%), assaults with a lethal weapon (-13%), carjacking (-85%), automobile theft (-24%), violent crime (-25%) and property crime (-10%).
One DC Metro employee stated he had combined emotions concerning the troop deployment, however he understands it on some degree as a deterrent.
“It does eliminate numerous the foolishness inside malls, Metro stations, locations of enterprise, simply seeing them,” stated Alex, 49.
“You’ve gotten a dude that may are available in right here and act the idiot however as an alternative of doing that he sees [National Guard troops] and says ‘I’m not gonna do nothing’ — it does make some folks suppose twice.”
Not everybody was proud of the elevated police and troop presence, nonetheless.
“Having the Guard right here is idiotic,” Christian Meyers, a DC native who’s lived within the space for round 50 years and works for a nonprofit, instructed The Submit.
“I simply suppose it’s going to be one other Kent State. It’s going to occur ultimately, in the event that they don’t get out of right here. They’re going to tug a gun on anyone and shoot anyone that’s underage, a child.”
Courtney, who works in authorities affairs, believes the troop deployment boils right down to nothing greater than a “publicity stunt” for the Trump administration.
“I don’t suppose it’s a response to the crime within the metropolis. I reside in Southeast Washington, and if you happen to have been actually frightened about crime you’d concentrate on the neighborhoods which have crime. I really feel just like the safety presence is basically in areas the place folks can do picture ops,” she stated.
“Dwelling in Navy Yard we’ve had numerous roving youngsters on scooters. Having Capitol Police or DC Police in bikes I feel makes much more sense in our neighborhood to cope with crime than having Nationwide Guard or DEA brokers who aren’t skilled for that.”
