President Trump says he is deploying hundreds of National Guard forces in Washington, DC, but the latest official figures show that crime rates have decreased significantly in the city.
Ari Shapiro, host:
President Trump says hundreds of National Guard forces will be deployed here in Washington, DC, and has also declared a state of emergency that allows him to temporarily control the Capital Police Department. Local officials are angry. Trump says these moves are necessary to stop the crime epidemic, but federal data shows that the crime has decreased. Brian Mann from NPR joins us now. Hey, Brian.
Brian Man, side Airlines: Hello, Ari.
Shapiro: At the press conference today, Trump joined senior officials, including the Minister of Defense and Public Defense. What did they say?
Man: Well, Trump provided the case, I see, and supported by the cabinet officials in this matter, that Washington, DC, is a fatal place. They said, under federal control, the law enforcement in Washington will be more aggressive. They say they are comfortable using the military forces, if necessary, to target gangs and young criminals. Trump has made it clear that he was sending a signal with these measures to other major cities across the United States led by the mayors of Democratic municipalities.
(Soundbite from the press conference)
President Donald Trump: We hope to see this other cities. They all watch, just like everyone watching here. They are all watching. Perhaps they will set out self.
Man: Now, what is noticeable here is that Trump’s novel contrasts categorically with local and federal crime data that shows Washington, DC, safer than it was. It also contradicts the living experience. There is a crime, of course, in Washington, but this is a peaceful city. It is full of tourists, away from the Dystopian image that Trump drew today.
Shapiro: As we said, local officials are not happy. What did the mayor of the capital, Moriel Bousser, say about this?
Man: You know, it was interesting. She has made it clear that she believes that Trump has at least the power of temporary control over the police. The law appears to indicate that he can do this for 30 days that Congress did not interfere. Buser described Trump’s decision to survey this presidential authority as self -that. She said she was trying exactly how everything will do. It also expressed a warning.
(Soundbite from the Archiving Registration)
Moriel Buser: I have contacted Public Prosecutor Bondi and I hope to make an appointment for the meeting soon. My message to the population is this – we know that access to our democracy is weak.
Man: Buser said what it means that Washington does not have the country. This means that the city and its inhabitants are subject to Trump’s power.
Shapiro: August is famous in the capital when he leaves legislators and connects school tourism groups. What do you hear from the people you talk to all over the city today?
Man: Well, you know, Ari, this is a very democratic city. Many people I was talking to feel shocking and dismay from this. I spoke with Ashwin Naroyan (PH), an independent information technology factor that he says sometimes works with progressive organizations. Here, his reaction to today’s news.
Ashwin Naroyan: It is terrifying (laughter). I have never heard anything like this happens here.
Man: A real shock from people. I also spoke with people in the homeless camps, who threatened Trump to purify the city, and they are really afraid. Trump did not say where people will take. It has been said only that they will be sent away from Washington, which means that people who are transferred away from family communications and their support networks here in the city.
Shapiro: Give us some context here because Trump has already sent the National Guard forces to Los Angeles this summer to suppress the protests on ice raids. There is still a legal battle on this publication. How to fit this?
Man: Well, this is a major symbolic escalation. This is Trump’s use of his authority without the support of local officials, and put soldiers in the streets of Washington, the country’s capital. Political repercussions of this at a time when Trump was already pushing the limits of democratic standards, it is huge. There is also a practical level in the street here, Ari. This can be volatile. Experts to whom I spoke are concerned about how this type of aggressive law enforcement with American citizens, and many of them in weak mental health issues and addiction. NAT Guard forces are not trained in this type of intervention. Trump says this will happen quickly without mercy, but these social problems that the soldiers will face, these are not military problems.
Shapiro: This is Brian Man from NPR. Thank you.
Man: Thank you.
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