Found an error?
Report now
U.S. Marshals hold back members of the media as Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visit members of the National Guard in Washington. Photo: Jose Luis Magana/FR159526 AP/AP/dpa
Keystone
US Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth have visited National Guardsmen stationed in Washington in protest. The two Republicans and other government representatives appeared at Union Station with soldiers who are deployed there on the orders of President Donald Trump, among others, and posed with them in a fast food restaurant. Vance praised the forces, which he said had led to a significant reduction in crime within a few days.
Residents demonstrate
Over the past few days, there has been an increasing presence of soldiers and other federal forces in Washington. Demonstrators confronted them with banners and chants, while videos on social networks show some heated scenes.
Critics accuse the Trump administration of merely wanting to demonstrate strength with what they see as a martial presence and thus distract from the Republican's domestic political problems. At the same time, there are those who support a tougher approach, but criticize the fact that the soldiers are mainly deployed in symbolic locations such as the National Mall - and not where crime is statistically highest.
Controversial decree
Last week, Trump issued a decree placing the police in the capital district under the control of Justice Minister Pam Bondi for the time being. However, her attempt to place the head of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) at the head of the police failed legally - police chief Pamela Smith remained in office. At the same time, Trump ordered the deployment of hundreds of National Guardsmen in Washington. Several Republican-led US states also want to send National Guard troops to the capital to support the operation.
Officially, Trump justifies the action with allegedly rampant crime and neglect of public spaces - although crime statistics do not confirm his claim. The law enforcement authorities are also focusing on migrants who may be in the country without a residence permit, as well as homeless people on the streets and squares of the city.
The National Guard, which is part of the US Army, has often been active in the capital. The federal states usually have control over this military reserve unit. However, in special situations - such as natural disasters, unrest and domestic emergencies - the President can place them under federal command. In the special case of the US capital, which is not a separate federal state, the National Guard reports directly to the President anyway.
20.08.2025, 21:41
