Katherine Ernst was taking an evening stroll on Sunday Aug. 10 around the National Mall when she first noticed an unusual "buzz" of law enforcement activity. Ernst, who has worked in Washington, DC for nearly a decade, said it was unsettling to see so many federal law enforcement officers milling about, but she was even more distraught to learn why: Hundreds of federal police officers were deployed around DC hotspots beginning Aug. 7, as part ofPresident Donald Trump'spublic safety crackdown in the nation's capital. Trumplater ramped up the crackdown, announcinghe will deploy 800 National Guard troopsto the city and take control of its police force. The moves angered some of those who live and work in the district, but were welcomed by others, a series of USA TODAY interviews suggests. "I saw the warnings about the National Guard, and I was like, 'that's a step too far, I don't like that,'" said Ernst, who was among dozens of people gathered for a protest near the White House on Aug. 11 to oppose Trump's announcement. Trump has described Washington, DC as unsafe and violent, pointing to recent crimes likethe assault of a former Department of Government Efficiency stafferduring an attempted carjacking on Aug. 3. While some of those who live in the city expressed similar concerns about crime, others pushed back against Trump's characterization, noting that violent crime in the district is down nearly 30% in 2025 compared to this time last year. "It's really just meant to put fear into people, and we're not going to be cowed by him," Shelley Moskowitz, who has lived in DC since 1987, said at the protest of Trump's actions. "We don't need the outside military coming in. We're a very fine and dandy city." Outside the White House, Donna Powell grew visibly frustrated as she was briefly questioned by Secret Service in the August heat. Powell said that in recent weeks, police have been questioning demonstrators more and she fears conflict could erupt now that Trump has mobilized the National Guard. Trump issued a stern warning to protesters in the city and beyond during the Aug. 11 press briefing in which he declared a public safety emergency in DC, saying "they're not going to be fighting back long." Powell disagreed."He's trying to piss people off, and he's trying to instigate something to occur so that he can justify bringing the National Guard in," she said. Powell also expressed concern about Trump'sthreat to replicate his approach to DC in other citiesincluding New York, Baltimore and Chicago. She said deploying the National Guard "did not work" in Los Angeles, whereprotesters clashed with police after Trump deployed the National Guardin June. "I think the country needs to wake up to what's happening to the country as a whole," she said. When asked how she feels about the deployment of National Guard troops, Diane Gronewold had one response: Angry. "There's no reason for National Guard to be here," said Gronewold, who attended the demonstration with Powell. "The crime rate is down in DC. There's no trouble." Gronewold, who lives just outside the city in Arlington, Virginia, said Mayor Muriel Bowser hasn't been doing enough to counter Trump's threats. During anAug. 10 appearance on MSNBC's "The Weekend,"Bowser refuted Trump's claims of rising crime in the city and expressed concern about the National Guard deployment, but said "that's the president's call." "She's in a horrible position," Gronewold said,acknowledging Bowser's limited autonomy. "But I think that the people of DC would like her to do more, and they're willing to suffer more if she will lead." Despite the decline in violent crime, some residents welcomed the idea of an increased police presence. The city is already home to many overlapping law enforcement agencies and local police should be able to work well with the National Guard, said Kevin Schilling, who sat on a bench outside the White House wearing a white Trump hat just after the president made his announcement. Schilling, who lives in DC, said he views crime and homelessness as major issues in the city. "I guess it's hard to handle," Schilling said. Sarah Kimble, who has been living in parks in the city's Northwest quadrant after being turned away from a homeless shelter, said she often fears for her safety in other parts of the city, citing recent outbursts of gun violence like the shootingof two Israeli embassy staffersoutside a museum. "How many children have been hurt? I mean, it's crazy," she said. "So, yeah, I'm glad. Something needs to be overseen at least until they get a handle on it." Though Kimble is still trying to secure housing for herself, she also said she doesn't blame the president for wanting to get rid of homeless encampments. Trump said on social media that the homeless in DC would "have to move out, IMMEDIATELY," though he did not elaborate on how or where they would go. "It is ugly, yeah, so I can get that," Kimble said. "I mean, even if I'm in it, it doesn't mean I like it and I want to stay there." Contributing:Sudiksha Kochi, Joey Garrison This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump deploying National Guard, taking over DC police angers residents
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