Democrats say Trump’s use of the National Guard in cities is heavy-handed. Residents who have to deal with robberies, carjackings, and shootings see it for what it is: common sense. Deploying the Guard doesn’t replace police so much as it backs them up so officers can focus on arrests while soldiers handle security and logistics. It’s a recipe that past administrations and states have imitated numerous times over the decades to restore order.
What Happened in Washington, DC
When the Guard rolled into DC earlier this year, the results were clear. Within months, violent crime fell sharply compared to the same period the year before.
- No homicides for up to 12 days after the deployment began
- Carjackings plunged by 83%, while robberies dropped by 46%
- President Trump hailed the results as a “crime-free zone,” spotlighting an 87% drop in carjackings and a 45% decrease in violent crime since the joint federal-local operation began on August 11
- Official figures show there were 719 arrests and 91 illegal firearms seized by August 24
And the deployments weren’t random. They were placed in the hardest-hit DC neighborhoods where crime rates were three times higher than the city average and violent crime more than double. That meant help went directly where it was needed most.
Public Backs Trump
Polls show strong support for Trump’s approach. A CBS/YouGov survey found backers believe Guard deployments make them feel safer and want the model expanded. Quinnipiac polling showed 86% of Republicans approve of the DC Guard operation. And a Rasmussen poll reported nearly half of voters rate Trump as good or excellent on crime, a number much higher than Biden ever managed on the issue.
A Declaration of Peace
Chicago leaders call Trump’s idea a “war on the city.” Residents call it relief. Over Labor Day weekend, 58 people were shot in Chicago. Families don’t care about exaggerated sound bites. They want the shootings to stop. The Guard can help make that happen without becoming a police state.
After the Guard hit the streets in DC, violent crime dropped fast, which is proof that the approach works. This isn’t war. It’s restoring peace.