National Guard Deployment in D.C. Sparks Mixed Reactions from Homeless Residents and Local Vendors

For the past seven years, Daniel Kingery has made the streets around the White House his home and is no stranger to police interventions. He has spent time in jail multiple times for charges associated with his refusal to vacate public squares and has returned to his spot each time after being released, showing a resilience built over years of experience.

When he learned that President Trump was sending in the National Guard to help manage crime and address homeless encampments in the area, Kingery remained largely unphased. "If the police tell me to leave, it won’t really mean much," remarked the 64-year-old, who was seated outside a metro station Thursday. He planned to inform any Guardsmen that such actions would be unconstitutional, highlighting his ongoing fight against such authority.

In the quiet aftermath of the announcement, heightened law enforcement presence was notable across the city, with Kingery observing more Department of Homeland Security vehicles in the area. Following Trump’s directives ordering 800 Guardsmen to assist the city’s police, the streets reflected a familiar calm, even as arrests began, drawing attention to the ongoing debate about safety versus authoritarian measures.

The local crime rate has reportedly reached a 30-year low, and the city has actively been cleaning up homeless encampments, raising questions about the necessity and effectiveness of the federal takeover of policing powers. Critics noted Trump as the first president to enact this measure under previously established laws, dubbing it an advance toward authoritarianism.

At a nearby corner, vendor Alan Simon shared that he’d been affected by the crackdown, noting that U.S. Park Police had recently displaced him for not having an appropriate permit—a first in his three years of street vending. While Simon dismissed Trump's portrayal of a chaotic city, others in the area expressed support for increased police presence, suggesting that it could enhance safety for residents and visitors alike.

Amidst varied opinions, the American Civil Liberties Union has expressed concern regarding potential civil rights abuses reminiscent of previous federal law enforcement actions during protests. Local political leaders, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, took a more reserved stance, recognizing potential benefits of additional police on the streets while attempting to navigate the political landscape of local and federal relations.

Meanwhile, those protesting outside the White House voiced their discontent, arguing that merely increasing police presence would not resolve the underlying issues of homelessness and social services, calling for a more comprehensive approach to address community needs.