U.S. President Donald Trump announced new security measures to tighten control over the capital Washington following the deployment of armed National Guard troops in the city. Trump ordered the creation of a specialized unit within the National Guard in Washington to ensure public safety and order in the nation’s capital. He also directed the appointment of more guards in national parks and additional prosecutors to tackle violence and property theft. In a separate executive order, Trump addressed non-cash bail procedures, calling for detainees to be held to the fullest extent allowed and charged federally to prevent the release of accused criminals posing a threat to society before trial. Earlier this month, Trump ordered the deployment of National Guard troops to confront what he described as out-of-control organized crime in the capital. The U.S. military announced that more than 2,200 troops deployed in Washington have begun carrying weapons.

These troops come from Washington itself, which is predominantly Democratic, and Republican-led states including West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Republican politicians, led by Trump, claim the federal capital suffers from rampant crime, a high homeless population, and poor financial management, although Washington police data shows a significant decrease in violent crimes between 2023 and 2024. The Trump administration also plans an unprecedented deployment of thousands of National Guard troops in Chicago, sparking strong opposition from Democrats in the third-largest U.S. city. Armed National Guard members in Washington operate under strict rules of engagement allowing force only as a last resort in response to imminent threats of death or serious bodily harm. The troops began patrolling Washington streets armed after Defense Secretary approved this step.

Chicago, meanwhile, has seen a significant drop in violent crimes this year, attributed by experts to systemic approaches to violence prevention rather than military-style interventions. Trump argues that few Republican-led cities experience high crime rates and is open to sending National Guard troops to such areas. Meanwhile, Washington’s mayor expressed concern over immigrant parents keeping children home from school fearing federal immigration enforcement, condemning any crackdown targeting schoolchildren.