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Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
‘Ridiculous': How Washington residents view the new troops in town
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Several residents also raised the cost of deploying the troops in their city. WASHINGTON - Outside the busiest train station in Washington, newly deployed National Guard troops wearing camouflage lean on a huge military Humvee. Wary residents and curious tourists stop to take photos, while inside the elegant Union Station a string trio plays 'What a Wonderful World'. Mr Christian Calhoun, a 26-year-old consultant who was born and raised in the US capital, told AFP that seeing the troops made him 'more than disappointed – I'm furious.' 'It's a lot of standing around,' he added. Declaring that Washington is overrun by crime and plagued by homeless people, President Donald Trump has deployed 800 National Guard troops, as well as ordering a federal takeover of the city's police department. Over more than an hour on the afternoon of Aug 14, the most that the handful of troops at Union Station interacted with the public was to let a French tourist take a selfie with them. Mr Larry Janezich, an 81-year-old resident, said he had not seen the troops taking part in 'any kind of meaningful action that is dedicated to the prevention of crime.' Ms Patricia Darby, a 65-year-old retiree, said that the troops 'don't want to be here', pointing to how some had their faces covered. Mr Calhoun said he does 'feel bad' for them as they wore heavy combat gear as temperatures soared above 33 degrees Celsius. 'Fake news' On his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump this week described Washington as 'under siege from thugs and killers', with higher crime rates than 'many of the most violent Third World Countries'. Residents outside Union Station rejected the apocalyptic image. 'It's ridiculous, and it really just shows how (Mr Trump) sees the people that live here,' Mr Calhoun said. 'It's totally false, and obviously promulgated on his media to justify an unwarranted exercise of federal power,' Janezich said. Mr Gerry Cosgrove, a 62-year-old tourist from the Scottish city of Edinburgh only in Washington for two days, had a simple response when asked about Mr Trump's portrayal of the city: 'To quote a phrase: fake news.' Mr Trump has also ordered homeless people to 'move out' of Washington. 'Where are they going to go?' Mr Darby asked, after fetching a bottle of water for a homeless person in the heat. Mr Randy Kindle, who volunteers with a protest group in a tent outside Union Station, told AFP he was afraid that homeless people could now end up in confinement or jail 'when all they need is help.' Guadalupe, a homeless man in his late 70s originally from Mexico, told AFP that the troops had asked him to move on the night of Aug 13. 'They have no manners,' he said in Spanish. 'I almost felt sick' during the interaction, he added. Mr Calhoun said he had mostly seen the troops outside train stations, adding that he noticed they had 'a lot of focus on cannabis use'. Washington legalised cannabis use on private property in 2015, however it is still prohibited under federal law. Several residents also raised the cost of deploying the troops in their city. 'It's a waste of money – I think DC was safe,' Mr Darby said. AFP
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Trump claims Washington DC murder rate higher than Islamabad
U.S. President Donald Trump made strong claims about the state of crime in Washington, DC, stating that the city has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, surpassing several notoriously violent countries. In a post on his social media platform 'Truth Social,' Mr. Trump wrote, "But now, DC is back under Federal Control where it belongs. The White House is in charge. The Military and our Great Police will liberate this City, scrape away the filth, and make it safe, clean, habitable and beautiful once more!." Earlier during a press conference on Monday, Mr. Trump announced that he is placing the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Department "under federal control" and deploying the National Guard to the city, saying the move is aimed at restoring order in the nation's capital. "Washington, DC, has one of the Highest Rates of Crime in the World, more than many of the most violent Third World Countries. The City's Homicide Rate is higher than places notorious for their violence, such as Mexico City, Bogota, Islamabad, and Addis Ababa -- Almost ten times higher than Fallujah, Iraq." Mr. Trump wrote. "If DC were a State, it would have the highest Homicide Rate of any State in America." Mr. Trump claimed that violent crime in the city has worsened over time, adding, "The Violent Crime Rate in DC has worsened, and the Murder Rate has essentially DOUBLED in just over a decade -- But these are only the 'official' statistics released by corrupt City Officials. The REAL numbers are many times worse." He alleged manipulation of crime data, stating, "In fact, a Precinct Commander was just suspended for allegedly manipulating the Violent Crime Statistics, and the DC Police Union, likewise, says the real numbers are much higher." Mr. Trump blamed the city's government for inaction, stating, "Because the Democrat Government of D.C. has largely stopped investigating, arresting, and prosecuting most Crime, the published statistics don't even capture a fraction of the actual Violence." Describing the everyday impact on residents, he said, "No one is arrested for shoplifting. Citizens living in fear have largely given up on calling the Police, instead choosing not to walk the streets after dark, essentially becoming captive prisoners in their own City. Stores lock up their merchandise behind glass walls. Gang Youth Violence is so common it goes largely unreported. Vehicle Theft in DC is more than three times the National Average. Schools are completely dysfunctional. Citizens are afraid to speak up or call the Police, lest they be targeted." Mr. Trump estimated the scale of the problem, adding, "The REAL Crime Rates are probably five to ten times what has been reported. DC has been under siege from thugs and killers, but now, DC is back under Federal Control, where it belongs."
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
Trump Seeks Long-Term Federal Control Of Washington DC Police Amid Protests: 'City Under Siege'
Last Updated: Trump earlier deployed National Guard troops to the capital and took control of its police force as he argued violent crime was out of control. US President Donald Trump said he would ask congressional Republicans to extend federal control of Washington's city police force beyond 30 days, as he declared the US capital was 'under siege" by thugs and killers, and had the highest rates of crime in the world. Trump also asserted that any congressional action could serve as a model for other US cities. He has previously threatened to expand his efforts to other Democratic-run cities such as Chicago that he claims have failed to address crime. In a lengthy post on Truth Social, Trump ranted about the high crime rates in DC, claiming that murder rates had doubled in the US capital over a decade and lashing out at the Democrat government for not prosecuting more crime cases. 'Washington, D.C., has one of the Highest Rates of Crime in the World, more than many of the most violent Third World Countries. The City's Homicide Rate is higher than places notorious for their violence, such as Mexico City, Bogota, Islamabad, and Addis Ababa — Almost ten times higher than Fallujah, Iraq. If D.C. were a State, it would have the highest Homicide Rate of any State in America," he said. 'Under Siege By Thugs, Killers' 'The REAL numbers are many times worse. In fact, a Precinct Commander was just suspended for allegedly manipulating the Violent Crime Statistics, and the D.C. Police Union, likewise, says the real numbers are much higher. Because the Democrat Government of D.C. has largely stopped investigating, arresting, and prosecuting most Crime, the published statistics don't even capture a fraction of the actual Violence. No one is arrested for shoplifting. Citizens living in fear have largely given up on calling the Police, instead choosing not to walk the streets after dark, essentially becoming captive prisoners in their own City." Trump further said that real crime rates in Washington DC were five to ten times more than reported, and the capital was 'under siege from thugs and killers." 'The White House is in charge. The Military and our Great Police will liberate this City, scrape away the filth, and make it safe, clean, habitable and beautiful once more!" view comments First Published: August 14, 2025, 06:57 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Edmonton Journal
6 days ago
- Health
- Edmonton Journal
Saturday's letters: Secret research on puppies horrifies
Article content I just finished reading the article in your Aug. 7th paper about the use of dogs in a secret research lab and I am totally aghast. I had no idea that this inhumane research was still being done in Canada. Thankfully, a couple of whistleblowers were able to get the information out even though staff is warned never to speak to anyone about this, even to people they work with unless they are in the facility. Article content Article content Article content The image in my mind of a dog, motionless after a procedure, whimpering in a cage with no bed, is a nightmare. And to top it off, Frank Prato, the founder of the Lawson Imaging Research Program, has received $500,000 in grants since 2020 from Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (publicly funded through federal tax dollars). Article content Article content A few years ago, my husband drove me to the Misericordia after I was experiencing disorientation and confusion. I left the emergency room, without having any care, after an eight-hour wait. This scenario is far too common and is frankly, disgusting. In 2023, Danielle Smith promised to build a new, state-of-the art hospital in the Ellerslie area. Now, she claims there's no money in the budget to continue with construction, even though the land had already been purchased by the NDP. Article content Article content The billions of dollars in the Alberta Heritage Fund can easily pay for a new hospital and other infrastructure needs. Smith seems to have her own petty agenda and is not working for the people of this province. It seems she and Trump a have a lot in common. Article content Where was I when the traffic laws became a joke? It's deadly out there folks. Buses, trucks and cars stream through red lights like we are a Third World country. Stop signs are an absolute joke in Edmonton and be wary if it is a four-way stop because one of the four drivers gambles that the other three will actually be stopping as they blast through. Article content Ever been tailgated? The posted speed is irrelevant, be it 40, 60, 70 or a hundred. The self-entitled, self-important drivers don't care about safety, the law or you. Crosswalks, watch out and make yourself very seen. Vehicles with modified mufflers, yikes! Where was I when traffic laws became discretionary? Oh, let's change the insurance statutes. That will help, not.
Spectator
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Spectator
The powder keg of 1980s New York
The Bonfire of the Vanities, Tom Wolfe's romp through the status and racial anxieties of 1980s New York, begins with an unnamed mayor being Mau-Maued by Harlem activists. As he soaks up the abuse, he fantasises about the confrontation spreading: Come down from your swell co-ops, you general partners and merger lawyers! It's the Third World down there!… Staten Island! Do you Saturday do-it-yourselfers really think you're snug in your little rug? You don't think the future knows how to cross a bridge? This fictional world, a collision of riches and poverty and criminal justice and electoral politics, maps neatly on to the period described in Jonathan Mahler's new book. His previous New York social history, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bronx is Burning, focused on 1977, which saw a heatwave, a crime wave, a city-wide power blackout, a baseball title race and a mayoral election. Ed Koch comes from nowhere to win that election, while junior prosecutor Rudy Giuliani and real estate tyro Donald Trump hang out at Jimmy McMullen's bar on the Upper East Side, hoping they may gain admittance to Studio 54. Fast forward nine years and we are at the start of The Gods of New York. The city has rebuilt its finances, buoyed by a resurgent financial sector fuelling a property boom in Manhattan; the outer boroughs have yet to feel much of the benefit. Koch has just been elected for his third term; Giuliani, now US attorney for the southern district of New York, has been prosecuting the Mafia and is limbering up to go after Wall Street; Trump is throwing together deals and leveraging all the political capital he can muster. Over the course of the book, which ends in 1989, Koch is beset by overlapping crises, to the extent that it is hard not to feel sympathy for him. The first is crime. Part of this is corruption: ten days after the inauguration, his ally, the Queens borough president Donald Manes, is involved in a mysterious car crash that turns out to be linked to a parking fines scandal; two months later he has shot himself. This is only a curtain-raiser for other rumbling scandals in the Democratic party machine. But worse is the run of high-profile violence that inflames the city's racial politics. Bernhard Goetz, who has shot four black youths on a subway train, comes to trial and is largely acquitted. Michael Griffiths, a black man from Brooklyn, is chased on to a highway in Queens by a mob and killed by a car. Yuseef Hawkins is shot and killed in Bensonhurst. Activists, notably the Reverend Al Sharpton, confront the authorities on behalf of bereaved black families. But they also overreach. Tawana Brawley accuses four white men, including police officers and an assistant DA, of having kidnapped and raped her, and Sharpton leads protest marches through the streets. When it becomes clear that the story is a hoax, the assistant DA demands a huge damages claim from Sharpton, which is paid by his supporters. Trisha Meili, jogging in Central Park, is raped and severely assaulted; the police extract confessions from five teenagers and Trump places an advert in the Daily News calling for their execution. Convicted and imprisoned, they are later exonerated. Koch is also presiding over a deepening Aids crisis in the city, his tardy response complicated by the fact that he is a closet gay. He receives especial criticism from the playwright Larry Kramer and his group ACT-UP, who carry out a series of protests culminating in a die-in at St Patrick's Cathedral. All of this against the backdrop of widespread homelessness – Koch repeatedly tries to move the homeless off the streets and finds himself thwarted by civil liberties groups – and the crack epidemic. Individual gadflies come for him too. Giuliani, with ambitions to replace him as mayor for the Republicans (and facing machinations within that party that make the Democrats look fraternal), is directing a series of prosecutions to bolster his own image and damage Koch's. Trump is embarrassing him where possible, tussling over the lease for Trump Tower and renovating the Central Park ice rink when the city lacks funds. Announcing at a Republican dinner that he is not going to run for president in 1988, he speaks up for tariffs on 'these countries that are ripping us off', proposes an attack on 'horrible, horrible' Iran and warns that 'if the right man doesn't get into office, you're going to see a catastrophe in this country in the next four years like you're never going to believe'. (Within a few years he has suffered multiple bankruptcies and is hosting The Apprentice.) Koch eventually loses the Democratic primary to a relatively left-wing challenger, David Dinkins – who will himself serve one term before losing to Giuliani. The book's emphasis on crime and money leaves it surprisingly thin on finance and also on culture – an important part of what still brings people to the city. Ladies and Gentlemen… was incisive about CBGBs's punk and new wave and disco. Here there is an extended account of the filming of Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing – influential, to be sure, though not offering much relief from the rest of the narrative. But overall, Mahler's exploration of the rowdy origins of the ruling style of contemporary US politics is engaging, enlightening and discouraging.
