Different state National Guard units have descended on Washington DC on orders from President Donald Trump, seen patrolling the streets as of Aug. 23, 2025. A typical afternoon has them wandering around the iconic landmarks like the Lincoln Memorial, appearing rather disinterested in their environment. Most of these young National Guard members have barely spent a week in the city, having been issued M4 semi-automatic rifles and SIG Sauer M117 pistols. A few deployed soldiers can be seen carrying M4s fitted with vertical grips to enhance stability during potential combat, all dressed in heavy yet evidently uncomfortable tactical armor vests, likely level IIIAs.
This militarized presence is not confined to the National Guards. Federal agencies such as the DEA and US Marshals were also spotted in the area a few days ago. Albeit they showed a distinct dislike for their pictures being snapped, especially if a press badge was in sight. An anonymous administration official tried to justify this heavily armed presence, claiming that their weapons and show of force are intended to be used only ‘upon reasonable belief of an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm.’ He meant only in case of self-defense, but the phrasing is enough to make anyone skeptical.
Most members of this guard detail are incredibly young, some have voiced their fatigue, expressing the wish to explore the city more casually, perhaps by e-bike or a scooter. Although their orders are expected to last until mid-September, the president, as per hearsay, could extend the command order. On lighter days, the number of Guardsmen around the memorials are fewer, and even reporters are scarce, leaving the city significantly quieter than previous weeks.
Interestingly, there is significantly less federal presence to the east of the Anacostia River. This part of D.C. is riddled with issues synonymous with many cities – from petty theft and truancy to more serious problems like domestic abuse and gun violence. A source quipped that the authorities dared not venture too far into this territory out of fear of retaliatory gunfire. Instead, they strategically place DEA agents on the National Mall to prevent largely African-American teenagers from using recreational substances, and National Guards at metro stations to discourage fare evasion.
This spectacle seems elaborate enough to impress the tourists, convincing them of an inflated sense of security. For instance, an all-too-contented Alabama tourist was overheard praising this ‘great job’ by President Trump, despite the president’s controversial image as a profit-driven real estate tycoon from New York with a semi-serious interest in dictatorship. Meanwhile, this gentleman’s wife was less than satisfied with the newly installed long ramp of the Lincoln Memorial by the Biden administration and the apparent lack of restroom facilities.
The rules governing behavior in the city seem to alter slightly every day, adding to the chaos. In accordance with the 1973 Homerule Act, D.C. has jurisdiction over its own laws and taxes. However, due to D.C.’s status as a federal territory under Congress, the local authority continuously gets undermined by political interference. This creates confusion, especially when state and federal laws conflict.
This was clearly seen when a youth was arrested for lighting up a joint at a popular bar spot on U Street, creating quite the stir. While marijuana has been legal in D.C. for years at a local level, political gymnastics from Congress have often created problems. Even when it was illegal, local police officers tended to turn a blind eye, choosing to reprimand marijuana users mildly rather than go through a cumbersome arrest process.
Undergoing an arrest procedure entails a lengthy drill. It involves searching the suspect, removing all personal items and jewelry, bagging these items as evidence, transporting the suspect, processing them at the station, and a lot of paperwork. Post-arrest, the suspect is put into custody or transferred to corrections, incurring more taxpayer money and requiring more officer time. The local police usually favor scaring off offenders rather than pursuing arrests.
However, this easygoing attitude to recreational substance use seems to have shifted recently. On a Friday night, we witnessed an individual getting arrested by multiple agencies for smoking a joint on U Street. ‘Do you have any idea where the actual crime occurs in D.C.?’ a frustrated club bouncer yelled out.
There have been rumors of people being whisked off the streets by ‘ICE’ agents, although there isn’t firsthand testimony. Journalists are hard-pressed to find evidence of federal kidnappings, which seems to be the strategy. The city has been plagued with speeding convoys, often led by MPD cruisers, consisting of four to five vehicles with tinted windows. These convoys often abruptly stop drivers or pedestrians, subjecting them to extensive searches, a modern form of ‘stop and frisk.’
Recently, there have been unfortunate cases of sudden checkpoints being set up during the busy rush hour, typically in the northern tip of D.C. near popular hardware stores. A Latino-dominated neighborhood, Columbia Heights, saw a shocking raid on an elementary school during the morning dropping-off hours, and there are stories of delivery drivers being forcibly removed from their routes.
These incidents tend to occur under the cover of darkness and conclude in a lightning-fast manner. Checkpoints wrap up within about 30 minutes; random stops seldom take more than five minutes. Once, when an officer attempted to identify me from a distance, I deliberately walked over, handing my business card before they could react, not hiding my annoyance.
All this brings back memories of the old Sundown Laws for many. When I reached out to my former journalism professor about the unprecedented situation, he responded, ‘It seems akin to the old slave patrols or a militarized occupation.’ He recalled being a mere 7-year-old when an armed militia swept his neighborhood post the Dr. king’s assassination as ordered by Mayor Daley. He felt under siege, reminiscent of the situation in Washington now.
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