Protesters called Trump “Hitler of our time” during DC dinner
Protesters call President Trump “Hitler of our time” at the DC Restaurant.
WASHINGTON – Matthew Cohen couldn’t believe the DC National Guard was offering soldiers to help clean the neighborhood.
“It’s ridiculous to have the National Guard come to our neighborhood to help them pick up trash,” said Cohen, the advisory director, who is one of Washington’s hyperlocal election officials in Washington’s low crime northwest.
But he was able to use his help.
As long as thousands of soldiers had ordered President Donald Trump to continue serving in the capital, Cohen wondered what would have done if his community picked them up in the offer.
The troops deployed to the city in August were intended to combat what Trump called a criminal emergency. Since then, the camouflage-covered group of soldiers have become a familiar presence along the underground platforms of the city’s downtown metro station, the marble hall at Union Station, and the National Mall, home to Washington’s popular monuments.
Soldiers were also found in parks performing tasks normally assigned to gardeners and landscapers. Shovel the mulch to blow away the leaves and scoop up any trash.
Now, the DC National Guard is asking city leaders if they would support local “beautifying” projects. The tender offer comes amid a protest against Trump’s acquisition of the city under the “Free DC” banner and the security guard’s own assessment that the developments have prompted “alarms and digging” among residents.
The guards may have stopped welcoming, but the soldiers were still assigned to the area.
Trump said the ongoing military presence in the capital, coupled with local police takeovers and a surge in immigration investigators, has made crimes in the city a thing of the past.
“Last year, it was a very dangerous place. For the past 20 years it was actually very unsafe. Now there were virtually no crimes,” Trump stood on the corner of downtown city on September 9th, saying, “I call it no crime.”
Trump’s emergency declaration allowed him to seize control of the police on September 10th, but the National Guard deployment did not close until November 30th, allowing it to expand further.
According to a Washington Post poll, the acquisition is not widely popular among Washington residents.
DC Guard accepts pitch for the “beautification” project
What else can the soldiers do?
In a letter sent to local leaders on September 8th, DC National Guard director Marcus Hunt asked for “helping identify projects or initiatives” that allow security guards to participate in “beautifying neighborhoods.”
“Although our ability to support painting is limited, our team is well suited to contribute to people in cleanup and improvement projects,” Hunt wrote.
“Most importantly, we want to do this with our community. We build relationships and strengthen our bonds with the security guards and the communities we proudly serve.”
Hunt told USA Today that the email response was “positive.”
But local leaders in Washington said they felt torn between their constituents’ opposition to deployment and the opportunity to recruit military aid on community projects that they sometimes relied on.
Cohen, who represents a neighborhood near an American university, decided that it was okay to interact with the soldiers.
Others were reluctant to accept help.
“Our DC National Guard should return to their families and return to their full-time jobs. No need for this demonstration of power,” said Tom Donohue, advisory director for some of the Southeast Anacostia.
But he added, “If they need to be here, if they need to be here, then I want them to do something rather than do anything.”
Donohue’s base, Anacostia is statistically one of Washington’s highest crime areas. Approximately a third of the murders in the past year occurred in the 8th district, including parts of his area. He said national security guards will be found in his district.
National Guard watches “alarms and diggers” on social media
DC National Guard’s own assessment of social media posts about the deployment also found that it was Rocky’s relationship with community members.
With internal media reviews by the DC National Guard and accidentally sent to USA Today and other outlets, it turns out that social media debates about deployment referred to “fatigue, confusion, morale drop – “just gardening,” an unclear mission, wedges between citizens and the military.” This assessment was first reported by the Washington Post.
According to the Army, media review emails were mistakenly sent to reporters, but the information has been made public.
“Trend video shows residents responding to alarms and digging,” according to the rating. It says that “self-identified veterans and active-duty commenters have expressed shame and warning about the reaction.”
A member of the DC National Guard told USA Today that frustration is growing within their ranks. As a city resident, he considers deployment unnecessary, but he is forced to take legal orders to maintain the course, the soldier said he is speaking on condition of anonymity.
When it comes to glorifying efforts, some leaders welcomed the help warmly. John Adams, commissioner for the district of the 7th Ward on the east side of the city, said the community “invites and embraces” the glorification. “We appreciate your support,” he said.
In the 8th district, which encompasses the Donohue district, the military has already been allocated to help distribute food in Donohue and soup kitchens, according to a National Guard member with knowledge of deployment.
For Donohue, one-on-one discussion with Hunt and subsequent meetings with his members further complicated his decision. The community is “very divided” about whether or not they will accept help, he said.
“They are our neighbors,” he said. “If they have to be here, why not take advantage of them?”
After all, if it came from a soldier, was the helping hand so different?
