In a recent Truth Social post, Donald Trump declared Washington, D.C. a “crime-free zone” following a National Guard takeover of the city. Despite recent crime statistics from the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department reporting hundreds of crimes within the past week, including violent offenses, Trump has praised Mayor Bowser for collaborating with him to “eliminate” crime. As part of this crackdown, Trump’s administration has taken control of the city’s police department and deployed National Guard troops, FBI, and ICE agents. Attorney General Pam Bondi has also celebrated the impact of the crackdown on social media, highlighting recent arrests and firearm seizures.
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President Trump has been criticized for deploying National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to address a fabricated crime wave, where they have been tasked with menial tasks such as spreading mulch and picking up trash. This deployment of approximately 2,000 soldiers is estimated to cost over $1 million per day. The author points out the absurdity of using these troops, who should be focused on training or preparing for serious deployments, to compensate for cuts made to the National Park Service, turning them into an expensive gardening crew. This is seen as a wasteful use of taxpayer money and an insult to the soldiers’ service.
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Exclusive: Military feared mistakes in LA deployment could have ‘far-reaching’ implications, records show. The whole thing sounds like it was set up to fail, doesn’t it? From what I’m gathering, there were serious concerns within the military about the deployment of troops in Los Angeles. The records indicate that officials anticipated that this operation could easily attract protests, possibly leading to escalating civil unrest. The worry wasn’t just about the immediate situation but also about the potential for long-term consequences.
The underlying fear was that a misstep, a mistake in judgment, or an accidental incident could create a dangerous chain reaction, escalating far beyond the initial scope of the deployment.… Continue reading
President Trump’s threats to deploy the National Guard to Democratic-run cities like Chicago are facing significant pushback. Representative Jesús (Chuy) García of Illinois denounces the plan as a “charade” and a waste of time, emphasizing that Chicago has seen decreases in serious crimes despite the president’s characterization. García views the move as politically motivated, aimed at creating a distraction and creating a show of force, as well as being unpopular. Illinois officials are considering all options, including legal challenges and peaceful demonstrations, to prevent the mobilization of the National Guard.
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On Tuesday morning, a full busload of National Guard members were observed cleaning up trash near the White House and other areas of Washington D.C. This beautification effort is part of a larger “D.C. Takeover” initiative. The Joint Task Force-DC office confirmed that this includes community restoration projects. While officials claim this is part of keeping D.C. safe and beautiful, critics have questioned the expenditure of resources on this mission, pointing out potential alternative uses for the funds.
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In response to a declared “crime emergency” by Donald Trump, the National Guard was deployed in Washington, D.C., and observed picking up trash in parks. Despite Trump’s claims of lawlessness, crime rates were at a 30-year low earlier this year. This initiative is part of a larger plan involving 40 or more tasks and has led to over 1,000 arrests, including suspected illegal immigrants. Reactions to the crackdown vary, with some residents expressing mixed feelings and concerns about immigration raids, while a magistrate judge criticized the government’s handling as reckless.
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An investigation reveals that the deployment of the National Guard to address homelessness in Washington, D.C., is significantly more expensive than providing affordable housing. The estimated daily cost of the military deployment, involving nearly 2,100 troops, exceeds $1.1 million. Conversely, providing affordable housing for all homeless individuals in D.C. would cost approximately $255,166, a fraction of the military expenditure. Despite the costly deployment and arrests, research suggests that providing housing actually reduces crime, while the administration simultaneously seeks to cut funding for public housing initiatives.
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Amidst criticism of his administration’s actions, President Trump addressed concerns, stating that “a lot of people are saying, ‘Maybe we like a dictator.'” He also reiterated his intention to deploy National Guard troops to Chicago and signed executive orders against cashless bail and regarding flag burning. These actions have drawn criticism, with some comparing them to measures seen in countries under dictatorships, and warnings that these actions will only serve to benefit the predatory bail industry. The executive orders also included consequences for jurisdictions that maintain cashless bail systems. Public figures such as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed their concerns regarding the orders as well.
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The use of National Guard troops for expanded immigration roundups and policing actions, driven by President Trump, is incurring significant costs. These deployments are drawing from funds intended for crucial training and operational readiness. State National Guard units are seeking additional funding to cover expenses, facing potential financial liabilities that could hinder their ability to respond to emergencies. Concerns are also raised about the timely compensation of National Guard members, with potential financial hardships for those deployed.
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Starting Sunday night, a limited number of National Guard members in Washington, D.C., will be armed, as directed by the Secretary of Defense. The Joint Task Force in D.C. stated that personnel will carry service weapons but operate under established Rules for the Use of Force. This represents an escalation in the federal intervention in the city, despite declining violent crime rates, with no specific threats necessitating armed guards reported. The decision follows President Trump’s order for a law enforcement crackdown and the earlier deployment of National Guard troops who have primarily focused on landmark protection and crowd control.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood