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Trump announced plans to dispatch 800 National Guard troops to the Washington DC on the pretense that crime is “out of control” in the capital. Unlike other cities, DC is already subject to significant federal control — and Trump is invoking his emergency powers to solidify it. Crime in DC is at its lowest in 30 years. Before his press conference today to announce his idea of taking over Washington, he posted on social:
“I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before. The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong. It’s all going to happen very fast, just like the Border. We went from millions pouring in, to ZERO in the last few months. This will be easier—Be prepared! There will be no ‘MR. NICE GUY.’ We want our Capital BACK. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
His press conference today went on for an hour, he darted from topic to topic, landing on his Putin Alaska rendez-vous numerous times. He rambled about what he claimed was the state of the DC (although he rarely goes out into the city, if at all), saying that the city was overrun by “bloodthirsty criminals” and “roving mobs of wild youth.”
“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people. And we’re not going to let it happen anymore.”
All overly dramatic exagerations to scare and drum up his base (is that still possible?). These rants were a made-up reason to bring in the National Guard.
He did not answer shouted questions about Epstein, however.
In a statement, the police department in DC said they are agreeing to this, but the takeover “must be a temporary measure, with the ultimate goal of empowering a fully staffed and supported” police department. A White House spokeperson said it will be temporary, only lasting 30 days. To use the D.C. police for longer than 30 days, he would need authorization from Congress. Here is a clear explanation by Kyle Cheny and Josh Gerstein of Politico that outlines what he can and can’t do. Bottom line, the president alone has no authority to “federalize” the D.C. government; he would need Congress to amend the Home Rule Act. That’s good.
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A group of protestors gathered outside the White House and a spokesperson said,
“Nothing Donald Trump is doing is about our safety.”
Local officials immediately criticized the president’s actions, calling them “unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful.” Mayor Bowser said at a press conference today:
“I can’t say that given some of the rhetoric of the past that we are totally surprised. There’s nobody here and certainly nobody who works for me who wants to tolerate any level of crime. We work every day to stop crime.”
Trump deployed National Guard to Los Angeles in early June when there were small, contained protests over immigration raids. It was not out of control in the least, but Trump used it as an excuse. LA officials immediately took him to court. Mayor Karen Bass of Los Angeles compared the mobilization to an “armed occupation.” Mr. Newsom called it political theater, and said the president was using service members as “props in the federal government’s propaganda machine.” The deployment was extended for another 90 days when it was supposed to end Aug 6th; Trump is considering extending it even further for the duration of the LA Olympics in 2028.
This is a trial run, Trump wants to do this in other cities, primarily Democratic cities. He wants a police state, and I believe he is preparing for when he is impeached and told to leave the White House. He will not go easily.
I tried to think of a drawing that represents what Trump is doing with the troops in cities, but I could not figure out a satisfying image that said anything worthwhile. I’ll try again tomorrow. I have done so many Trump drawings now, I search for imagery that won’t be repetative.
Along with the violent and inhumane ICE raids, and the notion of a police state continuing to build, I try to grasp at what Dems can do. Will the courts be enough to stop him?
Thanks for being here, I very much appreciate you all. Have a good Monday evening.