Washington, D.C. erupted in protest on Saturday as thousands of residents filled the streets to demand President Donald Trump pull back the National Guard and federal forces patrolling the city.
Carrying signs that read “Trump must go now,” “Free DC,” and “Resist tyranny,” protesters at the “We Are All DC” march accused Trump of turning the capital into an occupied zone.
Jaw-dropping crowds in DC right now, heading toward the White House. People do not like military takeovers of their city. pic.twitter.com/0lujQbUlfD
— Victor Shi (@Victorshi2020) September 6, 2025
“I’m here to protest the occupation of Washington,” said demonstrator Alex Laufer. “We oppose the authoritarian regime and we need to get the federal police and the National Guard off our streets.”
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The show of defiance came weeks after Trump ordered more than 2,000 National Guard troops into Washington, including units from six Republican-led states. Trump also placed the city’s Metropolitan Police under direct federal control and brought in federal law enforcement officers, including agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to “restore law, order, and public safety.”
But Justice Department data tells a different story. Violent crime in Washington dropped to its lowest level in 30 years in 2024, undercutting Trump’s claim that the city faced a crime crisis.
“What they’re trying to do in DC is what they’re trying to do in other dictatorships,” said Casey, a protester who declined to give his last name. “They’re testing DC, and if people tolerate it enough, they’re going to do it in more and more places. So we have to stop them while we still can.”
The presence of troops has divided residents. Some say the Guard should leave immediately. Others, particularly in poorer neighborhoods, argue the added patrols bring relief from everyday crime. The National Guard’s heavy presence downtown and in tourist areas has been especially visible.
City leaders are also split. Mayor Muriel Bowser praised Trump’s decision to send federal law enforcement, saying the city has seen a decrease in car thefts and other crimes since their arrival. She signed an executive order requiring city agencies to cooperate with federal officers but stressed she wants the National Guard mission to end soon.
Washington Attorney General Brian Schwalb is taking a harder line. On Thursday, he filed a lawsuit challenging Trump’s deployment as unconstitutional and in violation of federal law. The case could set up a legal showdown over the president’s authority to control Washington, a federal district with no governor.
For now, the troops remain. The military has already extended their mission through November 30, leaving residents uncertain how long their city will feel under federal occupation.
Featured image via X screengrab
