President Trump has defended his deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., saying it’s necessary to address crime and public safety concerns. The move comes just months after a nonpartisan survey found that most Americans view him as a “dangerous dictator.” Trump signed an executive order assigning Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to lead a specialized unit focused on ensuring public safety in D.C.
Trump’s actions have been criticized by Democrats, who say the deployment is authoritarian and aimed at distracting from his declining poll numbers. They argue that militarizing cities is what dictators do and that the president is overstepping his authority. The move has sparked concerns about the limits of executive power and the Posse Comitatus Act, which prohibits federal troops from participating in civilian law enforcement.
Despite the controversy, Trump has pinned his actions to crime and homelessness in D.C., citing a recent drop in violent crime. However, homeless advocates have criticized federal law enforcement’s removal of dozens of encampments due to limited beds. The president’s executive order instructs officials to “deputize” National Guard personnel to enforce federal law, but it also calls for the unit to be trained and available for rapid nationwide deployment.
The move marks a significant shift in Trump’s approach to addressing crime and public safety, and its implications for the Posse Comitatus Act remain unclear.
Source: https://www.axios.com/2025/08/25/trump-dictator-national-guard-dc