US EditionNational Guard documents show public ‘fear,’ troops’ ‘shame’ over D.C. presence: Washington Post
- President Donald Trump federalized more than 2,300 National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., in August to combat crime, as reported on September 10, 2025.
- Trump's deployment followed his emergency declaration despite D.C. police data showing declining crime and a 30-year low before August, raising concerns over political motives.
- Internal National Guard evaluations revealed troop exhaustion, disorientation, and low morale, with some personnel likening the deployment to "just gardening" and expressing concern that the mission’s approach fosters fear and creates a divide between the public and the armed forces.
- The National Guard tracked public reaction and found 53% of social media posts negative, only 2% positive, while locals expressed alarm, and the mission was seen as wasteful and threatening the precedent of keeping soldiers out of domestic policing.
- These developments risk eroding public trust and recruiting effectiveness, as experts warn politically motivated domestic troop deployments could damage confidence in service members protecting communities.
6 Articles
6 Articles
National Guard morale plummets over DC deployment
Internal National Guard assessments reviewed by The Washington Post reveal widespread unease over President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy more than 2,300 Guard troops to Washington, D.C The documents describe the mission as “leveraging fear,” driving a “wedge between citizens and the military,” and generating “shame” among some service members and veterans. “The assessments, which have not been previously reported, underscore how domestic mo…
Internal National Guard docs reveal Trump promoting a sense of 'shame' among troops and vets
During the last 70 years, U.S. presidents have federalized National Guard troops only on rare occasions. President Dwight D. Eisenhower federalized the Arkansas National Guard to protect Black students when a Little Rock high school was desegrated in 1957; President George H.W. Bush federalized California National Guard troops in response to the Los Angeles riots of 1992 — but only after then-Gov. Pete Wilson asked him to.But for the most part, …
Review revealing 'shame' among troops deployed to cities accidentally sent to WaPo
An internal review from the National Guard on the occupation of cities was mistakenly sent to the Washington Post and it reveals dismay among both the public and the deployed soldiers who admitted feeling “shame” over what they are being forced to do by Donald Trump.According to a Wednesday morning ...
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