Latest news with #UnitedStatesNationalGuard
Global News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Trump's takeover of Washington law enforcement faces anger, pushback and protests
Members of the United States National Guard stood near the Washington Monument on Saturday amid escalating tensions in the U.S. capital as President Donald Trump ramped up the presence of law enforcement in the mostly Democratic city. Tourists walking by the uniformed troops in Washington's blistering weekend heat were confused about their presence, with a group from Kentucky asking why the troops were even there. Some families requested photos with the troops and the National Guard members obliged. The sight of army-fatigued National Guard members and face-covered police agents has increased in Washington throughout the week after Trump signed an executive order declaring a crime emergency in the nation's capital. Many residents of Washington are outraged by Trump's overreach, with scores taking to the streets on Saturday to protest the president's takeover. People held signs that read 'Hands off DC' and 'Dump Trump' while chanting 'Trump must go' as they walked toward the White House. Story continues below advertisement Autumn Tustin, holding a sign that said 'No ICE! No National Guard!' said it was important to show up for the demonstration outside the White House because other people don't feel safe coming out to push against Trump's agenda to take over the capital. 'Being part of a movement feels like the best thing we can do at this point,' she told The Canadian Press. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Tustin said sometimes it feels like 'frogs in a boiling pot of water,' where there are a lot of ongoing changes that have huge consequences down the road. She has seen several National Guard members in tourist areas, describing it as 'bizarre' and a 'waste of talent and money.' On Saturday, West Virginia, Ohio and South Carolina authorized hundreds of additional National Guard members to head to Washington. 'West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital,' West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said. Hundreds of federal law enforcement officers from agencies such as the Secret Service and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement have also fanned across the city. Social media platforms have since filled with videos and pictures of federal agents descending on neighbourhoods — apprehending delivery drivers, dismantling homeless camps and approaching people on the city's public transportation system and in local parks. Story continues below advertisement One viral video showed a man hurling a sandwich at a federal law-enforcement official. Following the incident, sandwich-thrower Sean Charles Dunn was fired from his job in the U.S. Justice Department and charged with a felony. Trump's takeover has caused outrage from Washington residents but there's little city leaders are able to do to stop it. The District of Columbia is uniquely controlled by the federal government and local leaders are obliged to co-operate with Trump's order. Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, in a letter to residents, said the city's 'limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now.' Trump on Monday claimed he had to take the action because crime 'is getting worse, not getting better,' even as police data shows that violence in the capital city is falling. Washington has been plagued by violent crime, particularly during drug epidemics of the 1980s and early 1990s. There was a spike in violent crime again in 2023 but it plummeted the following year and has declined again so far in 2025. Much of the National Guard presence in Washington appears symbolic, with members roasting in the summer heat near national monuments and museums. Other law enforcement agencies, however, have descended throughout the city, evoking anger and fear in many local residents. There's been a clear increase in police presence in neighbourhoods like the dense and diverse Columbia Heights, and on Friday night in entertainment districts like U Street, 14th Street and 16th Street, north of the White House. Story continues below advertisement It's less clear how much, if any, policing has increased in areas in the southeast that have higher crime rates. Trump was at his Virginia golf club Saturday.
Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Trump's takeover of Washington law enforcement faces anger, pushback and protests
WASHINGTON - Members of the United States National Guard stood near the Washington Monument on Saturday amid escalating tensions in the U.S. capital as President Donald Trump ramped up the presence of law enforcement in the mostly Democratic city. Tourists walking by the uniformed troops in Washington's blistering weekend heat were confused about their presence, with a group from Kentucky asking why the troops were even there. Some families requested photos with the troops and the National Guard members obliged.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Trump's takeover of Washington law enforcement faces anger, pushback and protests
WASHINGTON – Members of the United States National Guard stood near the Washington Monument on Saturday amid escalating tensions in the U.S. capital as President Donald Trump ramped up the presence of law enforcement in the mostly Democratic city. Tourists walking by the uniformed troops in Washington's blistering weekend heat were confused about their presence, with a group from Kentucky asking why the troops were even there. Some families requested photos with the troops and the National Guard members obliged. The sight of army-fatigued National Guard members and face-covered police agents has increased in Washington throughout the week after Trump signed an executive order declaring a crime emergency in the nation's capital. Many residents of Washington are outraged by Trump's overreach, with scores taking to the streets on Saturday to protest the president's takeover. People held signs that read 'Hands off DC' and 'Dump Trump' while chanting 'Trump must go' as they walked toward the White House. Autumn Tustin, holding a sign that said 'No ICE! No National Guard!' said it was important to show up for the demonstration outside the White House because other people don't feel safe coming out to push against Trump's agenda to take over the capital. 'Being part of a movement feels like the best thing we can do at this point,' she told The Canadian Press. Tustin said sometimes it feels like 'frogs in a boiling pot of water,' where there are a lot of ongoing changes that have huge consequences down the road. She has seen several National Guard members in tourist areas, describing it as 'bizarre' and a 'waste of talent and money.' On Saturday, West Virginia, Ohio and South Carolina authorized hundreds of additional National Guard members to head to Washington. 'West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation's capital,' West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said. Hundreds of federal law enforcement officers from agencies such as the Secret Service and U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement have also fanned across the city. Social media platforms have since filled with videos and pictures of federal agents descending on neighbourhoods — apprehending delivery drivers, dismantling homeless camps and approaching people on the city's public transportation system and in local parks. One viral video showed a man hurling a sandwich at a federal law-enforcement official. Following the incident, sandwich-thrower Sean Charles Dunn was fired from his job in the U.S. Justice Department and charged with a felony. Trump's takeover has caused outrage from Washington residents but there's little city leaders are able to do to stop it. The District of Columbia is uniquely controlled by the federal government and local leaders are obliged to co-operate with Trump's order. Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, in a letter to residents, said the city's 'limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now.' Trump on Monday claimed he had to take the action because crime 'is getting worse, not getting better,' even as police data shows that violence in the capital city is falling. Washington has been plagued by violent crime, particularly during drug epidemics of the 1980s and early 1990s. There was a spike in violent crime again in 2023 but it plummeted the following year and has declined again so far in 2025. Much of the National Guard presence in Washington appears symbolic, with members roasting in the summer heat near national monuments and museums. Other law enforcement agencies, however, have descended throughout the city, evoking anger and fear in many local residents. There's been a clear increase in police presence in neighbourhoods like the dense and diverse Columbia Heights, and on Friday night in entertainment districts like U Street, 14th Street and 16th Street, north of the White House. It's less clear how much, if any, policing has increased in areas in the southeast that have higher crime rates. Trump was at his Virginia golf club Saturday. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2025.
Mint
6 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Who are the National Guard and what would they in Washington DC? Explained
United States President Donald Trump has placed the Washington DC, police department under federal control and deployed 800 National Guard troops in the national capital. The National Guard has been deployed in Washington DC to make the US capital 'safer' – but who exactly are they, and how will they work to keep DC secure? The United States National Guard – consisting of Army National Guard and the Air National Guard – with over 430,000 civilian soldiers, is a unique branch of the US armed forces. The power to order deployment of the National Guard rests both with state governors and the President. Evolving from colonial militias into a modern, well-equipped force, it responds to domestic crises like natural disasters, pandemics, protests, and border challenges, while also supporting overseas missions in places such as Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Middle East. While it is mostly called to respond to state-level emergencies, the National Guard has also been called to enforce law. The DC National Guard is primarily under federal control. Declaring declaring a public safety emergency, Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of the National Guard to support local and federal law enforcement in Washington DC. According to the reports, the National Guard has been tasked to crackdown on crime and homelessness in Washington DC. The Army said in a statement that out of the 800, at least 100-200 troops would help the law enforcement at any given time. Like Los Angeles, the National Guard would be assisting federal agents. A White House official said, 'Currently, the National Guard is being deployed to protect federal assets, provide a safe environment for law enforcement officers to make arrests and deter violent crime with a visible law enforcement presence." Donald Trump last week said that he was considering ways to take control of Washington, claiming there was a rise in crimes and the city was 'unsafe'. The claims came after a former employee of Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was assaulted in the city. Trump also cited the rising number of homeless in Washington DC – often escalating his rhetoric before the deployment of the National Guard. On Sunday, Trump wrote on Truth Social, 'The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don't have to move out. We're going to put you in jail where you belong.' The US President has also cited a recent assault on a federal staffer and viral videos of youth crime to argue that the national capital was in crisis. The Democratic mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, pushed back on Trump's claims, saying the city is 'not experiencing a crime spike' and highlighting that violent crime has fallen to a 30-year low. Trump called Bowser 'a good person who has tried' but said she's been given many chances while crime numbers continue to worsen. Violent crime fell 26% in the first seven months of 2025 and overall crime dropped 7%, according to the city's police department. But gun violence remains an issue. In 2023, Washington had the third-highest gun homicide rate among U.S. cities with populations over 500,000, according to gun control advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety.
Sydney Morning Herald
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Australia news LIVE: King's Birthday Honours list revealed; unrest in LA; bank sued for fraud protection failures
Latest posts Latest posts 6.55am The latest on unrest in the US By Amber Schultz United States National Guard troops have been deployed in Los Angeles, the first time in six decades a state's National Guard has been activated without a request from its governor. US President Donald Trump ordered the US Northern Command to assume control of the National Guard and dispatch 2000 soldiers to the area 'for 60 days or at the discretion of the Secretary of Defence'. The troops arrived following protests against immigration raids that swept through the city from late on Friday, as part of Trump's promise of mass deportations. Rocks and chunks of cement were thrown at Border Patrol vehicles, and riot police used tear gas, flash-bang grenades and pepper balls to disperse the crowd. On Sunday morning, the city remained quiet with no further major protests. 6.54am Scott Morrison honoured By Amber Schultz Former prime minister Scott Morrison has been honoured in the King's Birthday Honours. He was made a Companion of the Order of Australia – the highest honour – for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and his key role in the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal with Britain and the United States. All former prime ministers, except Paul Keating, have accepted being made a Companion since the inception of the honour. Morrison called the award 'humbling' and called for the Coalition to continue focusing on economic security for Australians. More than 800 people were recognised in the King's Birthday Honours: you can explore the full list via the interactive here. Loading 6.52am This morning's headlines at a glance By Amber Schultz Good morning, readers, and happy King's Day. I'm Amber Schultz, and I'll be keeping you up to date with the latest on today's blog. The full list of the 830 Australians recognised in the King's Birthday Honours list has been revealed, including costume and production designer Catherine Martin and director Baz Luhrmann, former Federal Court justice and the special investigator into alleged war crimes committed by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan Mark Weinberg, and former prime minister Scott Morrison among those honoured. United States National Guard troops have arrived in Los Angeles after protests erupted following federal immigration raids late last week. The raids are part of the Trump administration's push to fulfil promises of mass deportations. The Women in Media Industry Insight Report has found financial pressure, stalled growth and a lack of progress on equity are driving women out of the workforce. Meanwhile, TV newsrooms are set to cut the salaries of TV's highest earners ahead of cutbacks across the industry in the new financial year. Also in the US, a New York Times investigation delved into the life of Thomas Crooks, the man who almost killed Trump. Crooks, a 20-year-old college student, fired eight shots at Trump, grazing his ear. Crooks also killed a bystander and wounded two others before being shot dead by the Secret Service. The investigation found Crooks was intelligent and ambitious, but had declining mental health. Unsafe conditions at Sydney's Northern Beaches Hospital have been laid bare by the ABC, with whistleblowers saying warnings about patient safety at Northern Beaches Hospital were ignored, with 'dangerously low staffing.' HSBC banking customers have lost millions in scams, with warnings about the risk no heeded by the bank's own fraud experts. The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is suing the local subsidiary of HSBC for 'widespread and systemic' failures to protect its customers.
