The militarization of public spaces in the United States has become a growing concern, particularly when one observes it happening right on their doorstep. Surprisingly, however, many local residents and tourists seem indifferent to the significant increase in armed forces. Such is the transformation we are witnessing under the leadership of President Trump, barely half a year into his term. America’s welcoming green heart, as named by the National Park Service, is the National Mall; a serene link between the residential area that houses the U.S. Capitol and the historic landmarks dedicated to Presidents Washington, Lincoln, Jefferson and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, World War II, Vietnam and Korea veterans, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Over the years, I took immense pleasure in acquainting my loved ones with the awe-inspiring beauty of the Mall, the enlightening museums nearby, and the festive aura of concerts, festivals, and Independence Day fireworks. But this year’s Labor Day, marked by brilliant sunshine, unfolded quite differently. For the first time in my life, I saw armed soldiers, decked in military fatigues, blending into the sea of tourists.
Just as I exited the World War II memorial, a small platoon of soldiers surfaced, marched in a straight line, and joined their comrades beside three vans near the Reflecting Pool. The spectacle of armed force seemed to barely register with the tourists who seemed only interested in the park policemen on equestrian patrol. The only interest they aroused was from tourists eager for a photographic memento.
While heading towards the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, I noticed more soldiers stationed around a statue dedicated to the women who served during the Vietnam War. Just like any other onlookers, they were engrossed in the figures and inscriptions on the statue. A park ranger informed me that the soldiers would much rather be elsewhere, possibly at their homes, with their loved ones.
Surprisingly, such sentiment is echoed by a large number of Washingtonians (around 80% according to an August survey by the Washington Post). Just like the park ranger, they would much prefer these soldiers to be back with their families. Contributions to this increased military presence include troops sent by Republican-led states, seemingly in a bid to gain favor with President Trump. Ironically, these states augment the ranks of the National Guard from Washington, a fact that is significant because, unlike elsewhere where governors wield control, these soldiers are under the direct command of the president.
On my way to the Tidal Basin and Jefferson Memorial, I sighted three bulky, black SUVs. Their license plates were the only indication of their belonging to the ‘DHS’ – Department of Homeland Security, often seen as the vanguard of President Trump’s hardline immigration policies. What sends a shiver down the spine is not just the visible presence of over 2,200 soldiers and additional federal agents in the country’s capital.
What is even more disturbing in a supposedly free country is the unseen or unidentified occurrences. Tales of masked agents in unmarked vehicles conducting random searches and checks on unsuspecting citizens have been making the rounds on social media. The present scenario has been perceived as an attempt by President Trump to establish a national police force under his direct control, a concern raised by a federal judge during a recent ruling in Los Angeles against the deployment of troops in police roles.
Needless to say, these developments have severe implications. Despite rampant crime, city tours where troops outnumber tourists are neither normal nor acceptable. In a shocking turn of events, President Trump has declared Washington as a ‘CRIME FREE ZONE,’ with a resolve to extend the military presence beyond the permissible 30-day limit, a move that would require Congress’ approval.
Regardless of President Trump’s claims, crime persists in Washington. While securing public safety is crucial, the means to achieving this goal hinges on the legitimacy and appropriateness of the policing authority. Throughout American history, law enforcement has been primarily a responsibility of the states and local jurisdictions, unless they were proven incapable, which is far from the case right now.
Instead of reducing crime by depleting federal funding, perhaps a look back at the approach of former Presidents might offer a solution. Take, for instance, the strategy adopted by President Clinton during the high-crime era of the mid-1990s: increased funding to states and cities to support the hiring of more local law enforcement officers. This method proved beneficial then, and could potentially be effective now.
However, the dispatching of red-state troops unfamiliar with the dynamics of blue cities can only amplify divisions. A president tarnishing American cities by labelling them as ‘unsafe’, ‘dirty’, ‘disgusting’, ‘hell holes’, and ‘terrible’ only adds fuel to the fire. Such derogatory comments and actions are not standard, nor should they be tolerated, whether in the heart of America or beyond.
Such disheartening realities won’t go unnoticed or unchallenged. As the apparent city takeovers by the administration extends, so too does the resistance against them. There could be something more sinister behind this pattern—the desire of a divisive leader to have yet more grounds for mobilizing troops.
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