Trump put thousands of soldiers on DC streets. They seldom stop crime
PUBLISHED Aug 19, 2026, 4:40 PM ET
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
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Left: Highlights government waste and military overreach in urban policing. Center: Reports cost and crime data without partisan editorializing. Right: Emphasizes troop presence as a security measure despite low engagement.
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Trump put thousands of soldiers on DC streets. They seldom stop crime
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