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President Donald Trump said Thursday he does not want to remove National Guard troops from Washington, D.C., pointing to a decline in crime since their deployment.
“I never want to take them out of D.C.,” he said during a Cabinet meeting. “Maybe somebody later on will do it, but I never want to.”
The National Guard has been stationed in the nation’s capital since August, when President Trump declared a crime emergency and ordered the deployment in response to concerns about public safety.
What was initially described as a short-term measure has since become a longer-term presence, with discussions underway about extending the deployment.
The president cited local data showing improvements in crime rates since the Guard’s arrival, including a decline in homicides and overall crime compared with the previous year.
“People say, ‘We feel so good, we feel so safe,'” President Trump said, praising Guard members for their visibility and interactions with residents.
The president suggested the approach could be applied in other major cities.
“We could do that for Chicago, New York, L.A., frankly San Francisco,” he added, arguing that increased enforcement and federal support could reduce crime in other urban areas.
President Trump also linked the drop in crime to his administration’s border security policies, contrasting them with those of the previous administration.
Supporters say the deployment has helped improve public safety in the capital, while critics, including some local officials, have questioned the federal government’s role in policing the city.
The issue comes as the administration faces broader domestic challenges, including a partial government shutdown affecting homeland security operations.
The president has also suggested using federal resources, including the National Guard, to assist at airports experiencing staffing shortages. Despite the debate, Trump said he believes the Guard’s continued presence is essential to maintaining public safety in Washington.