POLITICS

Trump put thousands of soldiers on DC streets. They seldom stop crime

PUBLISHED Aug 19, 2026, 4:40 PM ET

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A Reuters investigation found that National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C., by former President Donald Trump have been involved in only 1.3% of criminal cases in D.C. Superior Court since August 2025, despite costing taxpayers approximately $1.65 million daily. In one documented incident, 15 guardsmen watched a woman being assaulted without intervening. The 4,500 troops, who outnumber the city's police force, primarily patrol tourist areas and have no recorded law enforcement actions in neighborhoods where 82% of murders occur. Their interventions mainly involve low-level offenses such as shoplifting and fare evasion. The deployment is projected to cost $1.4 billion by 2029, with no significant corresponding drop in violent crime. Critics argue the operation functions as an expensive "presence patrol" rather than an effective public safety strategy.

By Emily Rhodes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

On August 2025: Trump ordered thousands of National Guard troops to Washington streets.
On spring 2026: Police stopped a man stomping a woman; guardsmen watched.
On spring 2026: Reuters reviewed cases showing troops involved in 1.3% incidents.
On August 2026: Troops outnumber D.C. police, costing $1.65 million daily.
On August 2026: Projected total deployment cost reaches $1.4 billion by 2029.
On August 2026: Troops patrol tourist zones, not high-crime neighborhoods with 82% murders.
On August 2026: Guardsmen primarily handle shoplifting, fare evasion, and curfew enforcement.
On August 2026: Reuters report reveals minimal impact on violent crime rates.
On September 2026: D.C. officials may request reevaluation of troop deployment strategy.
On 2027: Potential congressional hearings on military deployment cost-effectiveness and public safety.

News Intelligence

Immediate US impact: Costly military presence yields negligible crime reduction results nationwide.
Long-term US impact: May reshape debates on domestic military deployment efficacy.
Affected groups: D.C. residents, taxpayers, National Guard, and local police.
Reader priority: Compare official crime data with deployment costs and outcomes.