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Black civil rights leaders and mayors of several major U.S. cities sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, labeling the move a “federal coup” and an act of “racially divisive politics.” The White House defended the action as a lawful, necessary measure to combat crime in the nation’s capital.
Background
Trump on Monday announced the deployment of 800 National Guard members to D.C., alongside a federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department, citing recent violent incidents — including the July killing of a congressional intern and the carjacking of a former government staffer. He suggested similar actions could be taken in New York City, Baltimore, Chicago, and Oakland, all led by Black mayors.
While Trump has described D.C. as “one of the most dangerous cities in the world,” Justice Department statistics show violent crime in the city has declined for years and is now at a 30-year low. Nationwide, the FBI reports drops in murders, rape, aggravated assault, and robbery.
Legal and Policy Arguments
The president invoked a rarely used law granting him authority over D.C.’s police force for up to 30 days. Trump also named Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator Terry Cole as acting head of the department — a move D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called “unsettling and unprecedented.”
Critics argue the deployment is politically motivated. Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League, said Trump is “creating a de facto police state” in cities where crime is declining. NAACP President Derrick Johnson labeled it a “federal coup.”
Government Response
The White House rejected accusations of racial or political motives. “There is nothing divisive about cracking down on crime in our nation’s capital to make it safer and more beautiful for all residents,” assistant press secretary Taylor Rogers said, adding that “Democrat-run cities plagued by violent crime should focus on cleaning up their own streets.”
D.C.’s police union backed the federal takeover but urged that it remain temporary and aimed at improving resources.
Reactions from Mayors and Civil Rights Leaders
The Rev. Al Sharpton warned the move would harm the city’s most vulnerable residents, including the homeless, who are disproportionately Black. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott criticized Trump’s suggestion that his city could be next, pointing to a 28% drop in homicides this year.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson noted violent crime is down more than 30% in his city, accusing Trump of slashing $158 million in violence prevention funding while dismantling the Office of Gun Violence Prevention. Savannah Mayor Van R. Johnson II, head of the African American Mayors Association, called for federal support through collaboration rather than militarization.
Broader Context
Black Americans are four times more likely to experience homelessness than white Americans, according to a 2023 study, and advocates warn that heavy-handed policing could exacerbate systemic inequalities. The deployment also follows the Trump administration’s removal of D.C.’s Black Lives Matter street mural under threat of withholding city funding.
Next Steps
Trump has hinted at extending federal oversight or expanding deployments to other cities. Local leaders say they will continue pushing for investment in social services and violence prevention programs rather than military-style interventions.
