President Donald Trump announced an official take over of Washington, D.C., making it the second city to be run by the U.S. military. But, while Trump prepares to deploy the National Guard– spotlighting the city’s high crime– the real numbers reveal something totally different going down in the nation’s capital.
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Yes, D.C. has a crime problem, but according to the Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime is down 26 percent from last year. Still, Trump said during a press conference and on Truth Social that crime has taken over the District and will be met with federal response.
In addition to his crime fighting efforts, Trump also ordered the removal of all homeless people in the District. But while many Americans are shocked by yet another takeover of an American city, others fear this is is all part of an elaborate plan. Here are some of the many theories as to why…
Enacting Martial Law
Trump not only plans to send National Guard to D.C. but also put the Metro Washington Police Department under direct federal control. With this, the city will be under federal watch, similar to how he treated Los Angeles.
Many saw Trump’s deployment of the military to Los Angeles in June as a “test subject” for his alleged plans to enact martial law nation-wide. As we previously reported, Americans have theorized Trump wants to enact martial law– where military force overrules local and state government in times of war, civil unrest or natural disaster.
“He is Practicing for the real thing to take over once his Term is Over,” @Burek_CA said on TikTok. If this happens, the president’s already divisive authority might further threaten democracy.
No Other Place Like DC
Washington, D.C. is the only city in the country without state protections. Because of this, folks like TikToker @justwaynecreative say D.C. is a perfect target. “Washington, D.C. has always been the most unique place because it is independent,” he said.
American founding fathers created the District to be a neutral zone, but some believe Trump wants it for himself. “D.C. is the seat of democracy and Donald Trump wants to take the seat of democracy and make it the seat of the president,” @justwaynecreative continued.
Distracting from Epstein Files
Despite continuous efforts from the administration to minimize the fallout from the notorious federal files against Jeffrey Epstein– disgraced financier and child sex offender– the issue simply won’t go away. That’s why people like journalist Don Lemon believe Trump’s latest attack on the U.S. capital is yet another deflection attempt.
Mayor Bowser is ‘Strategic and Obedient’
Washington, D.C. marks the second city Trump has deployed the National Guard to, with Los Angeles being the first. Another thing these two cities have in common is they’re both ran by Black women mayors: LA Mayor Karen Bass and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
In the past, D.C. residents have accused Mayor Bowser of being “too soft” and too quick to follow Trump’s orders… like when he ordered the removal of the “BLACK LIVES MATTER” mural in the District back in March. People like former defense contractor Caroline Jhingory said Bowser is being “strategic and obedient.” She asked on X, “Has Muriel Bowser’s loyalty to Donald Trump been about protecting DC residents?”
Bowser clashed with Trump during his first term, but up until now, their relationship has been relatively cordial. She responded to Trump’s takeover saying, “Any comparison to a war-torn country is hyperbolic and false,” NPR reported.
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