Washington, D.C., is the new home to what many people call a “War Zone”. Why are people calling it a “War Zone”? President Donald Trump deployed the National Guard to Washington, D.C. on August 11. The Pentagon Press Secretary said in a statement, “I think there’s no more important job for this department than to stand alongside federal law enforcement partners and local police in securing our nation’s capital.” The US Department of War said that over 800 National Guard said that both Army and Air National Guard were called in and activated. Wilson then said, “They will remain there until law and order has been restored in the district, as determined by the president standing as the gatekeepers of our great nation’s capital.” After weeks with the National Guard being present, they were eventually extended to stay in Washington D.C. until at least December 31, 2025 to help crack down on crime across the city and to make an effort to make Washington D.C. safe for their residents and visitors. 

While many people are thrilled with the decision to bring in the National Guard, many are not happy with it. Protests around Washington, D.C. have become peaceful in an effort to get the people’s voices heard so that the National Guard can understand they are not wanted. 

While walking through the Navy Yard, a section of Washington, D.C., I witnessed a peaceful protest taking place. While the protest was mainly directed towards the National Guard, protesters were also directing their anger towards President Donald Trump. People ranging from young kids to older adults attended to have their voices heard. People holding signs such as “Release the Epstein Files” and “The Rich Get Richer While We Bleed. Workers over Billionaires.” Two people named Wendy and Ginelle took part in the protest. They expressed their frustration to me about how the country is turning into an America that no one expected to live in before President Donald Trump took office for his second term. 

Wendy, whose voice was scratchy, used her vocal cords to the fullest extent. She said, I serve my country, and I don’t want to live in a fascist country, which we are. Everything Trump is doing is just corrupt, evil, and cruel. And we have the power. We’re going to win, and we have to get out and speak.”

Ginelle is tired of seeing the direction the United States is going so she wanted to help make a difference. Ginelle said, “I’m here to protest the Trump regime, the fascist takeover that’s happening in our country. And I came all the way from California to do such a thing. I got friends and family to pitch in so I could get here because I didn’t have enough money to come. And we’re here to be part of the movement that’s happening across the country. “I don’t know, I don’t know what is happening in our country right now, but it’s wrong. And I feel like we’re heading towards full Nazi Germany right now. So every able person needs to stand up right now and make a stand,” said Ginelle. 

The biggest question that people have for Donald Trump is why? What and why will the National Guard be able to do that police departments all over the country cannot? President Trump said in a statement as to why he was deploying the National Guard to Washington, D.C., “Washington, D.C., should be one of the safest, cleanest, and most beautiful cities anywhere in the world, and we’re going to make it that,” Trump said during a press conference at the White House. “We’re going to make it safe; we’re going to make it smart; we’re going to make it beautiful.” Protesters such as Wendy and Ginelle disagree and feel that deploying the National Guard will help minimize the crime. 

Wendy and Ginelle feel that deploying the National Guard is a power trip to make President Trump feel powerful. “Yeah, it’s a show of force,” said Ginelle. And he’s going to start sending the National Guard to every city, and we’re not having it.” Wendy said, “Look at the economy. First of all, this whole MAGA movement has just made us want to unify, so the country is in trouble. We can become better than ever because all this wrong stuff has been exposed. Racism, misogyny, homophobia, all of those things are being exposed. The rich get richer while everyone else gets poorer; it has to stop, and we can do something about it.” 

The National Guard was ordered to carry service weapons not only for their protection but also for the protection of civilians. Seeing the National Guard carry rifles around their neck can call for an unsettling feeling for people, especially for the youth. When kids walk by the National Guard and see rifles, it could create a bad influence. 

Wendy said, “I mean, look at what happens in all these schools, and Republicans don’t do anything. All they do is say thoughts and prayers. You know, so sensible gun control is another thing we can have if we vote out all these horrible types of things.” 

Ginelle said, “I am all for gun control, and look, I lived in Australia for 12 years, and they reformed their gun control, like you, you wouldn’t believe that  it could happen here. We just have to make it happen and it is b – – – – – – t that these national guards are here with guns against citizens who are protesting peacefully. People are full of love, and the thought that they might harm us is just heartbreaking. It’s awful, and literally gun reform needs to happen in this country.”

The National Guard is also now taking part in the beautification and restoration projects initiative. The beautification and restoration projects initiative was launched in part for the National Guard to assist with cleanup across Washington, D.C. Typically, cleanup work is left for workers in the National Park Service. Still, because the Trump administration laid off the National Park workers, it is now up to members of the National Guard to help tackle the issues. 

President Trump has continued to deploy the National Guard across the country. Over 2.000 National Guard members were deployed just in Washington, D.C. As the days and months go on, more National Guard troops will be deployed to help create a safer America. America is in a position right now where people feel that America is at War against itself. People such as Wendy and Ginelle want to see a change with who the president is, but the republican party as a whole. They feel that deploying the National Guard is not the answer to a safer America, but that it’s a show of force.