Study finds National Guard troops are not reducing violent crime in Washington, D.C.
A new study finds that the deployment of the National Guard didn’t slow violent crime in Washington, D.C., but it did have some effect.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called protesters “ungrateful” on Thursday, July 2, as he and other Trump administration officials praised the work of the National Guard at a Safe and Beautiful Task Force event in Washington, D.C.
“The ambient noise here this morning is perfect. It’s the sound of ungratefulness, ingratitude, people so blinded by ideology that they can’t see law and order and common sense right in front of them,” Hegseth said. “There is nothing ideological about this group. There is nothing political about this exercise.”
Separately from Hegseth, the President’s Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche were also heckled by Free DC protesters during the event.
The Hill reported that protesters honked whistles and horns as Trump administration officials touted the National Guard, which has been patrolling Washington, D.C. since the president deployed the branch after declaring a state of security emergency last year.
“Thank you for being here and cheering us on along the way. The whole team, the Soldiers here, thank you for all you’ve done. Thank you for waiting outside in the sun,” Hegseth said.
Tension between the Trump administration and DC
During his second term, Trump has pushed for an expanded role for the federal government in the area, citing concerns about crime, homelessness and public safety.
In August 2025, President Trump sent approximately 800 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., after declaring a state of security emergency. Several Republican-led states also sent Guard members to help.
The federal government’s takeover of the city’s police force ended in September, but the National Guard continues to be deployed. Currently, more than 4,000 National Guard troops remain deployed in the district.
In addition to deploying the National Guard, President Trump established the Washington, D.C., Safe and Beautiful Task Force in March 2025. In the executive order establishing the task force, the president directed federal agencies to work on “beautifying” the nation’s capital.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Contact us at fernando.cervantes@usatodayco.com and follow us at X @fern_cerv_.
