In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump issued an order for the National Guard to take patrol duty in Washington DC streets amid escalating protests and a surge of homelessness. The directive, dubbed bath of blood by critics, aims to restore order, while local officials warn of civil unrest. Washington’s mayor and federal agencies scrutinize the legal basis of the deployment.
Former President Donald Trump, re‑electable in the 2024 campaign, announced on Monday an emergency deployment of the National Guard to Washington DC— a city already marked by heightened protests over recent policy moves. The order calls for over 3,000 guard units to patrol key thoroughfares, secure federal buildings and assist the Metropolitan Police with crowd control.
The directive emerged after a sharp uptick in demonstrations across the capital, including street blockades near the White House and federal courthouse. Protesters demanded reforms to the city’s homelessness assistance program, which cut funding for shelters in 2023. According to city data, the number of people sleeping on the streets rose by 19% from 2022 to 2024.
In his statement, Trump described the situation as a bath of blood that threatened the safety of residents. He vowed that the National Guard would sweep through Washington, restore order, and give the city back to its people. His advisers said the move was a precautionary measure to prevent civil unrest from escalating into violence.
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser responded with caution. We respect the federal role in maintaining safety, she said at a press briefing. But the legal authority to deploy the Guard in the city’s district is limited under the Home Rule Act and requires coordination with the District’s commander. The mayor’s office called for a joint review with the Department of Defense and the District’s civil rights groups.
The National Guard’s presence has already been evident in a series of low‑profile patrols that began early morning of August 12. Soldiers in tactical gear moved along the I‑695 corridor, stopping to engage with protestors offering assistance to the homeless. The Guard’s spokesperson confirmed the 3,000‑person deployment would be sustained through August 15 pending a reassessment of the situation.
Legal experts weigh in. Professor James Ortiz of the Georgetown Law School notes that former presidents do not possess the authority to issue executive orders after leaving office. He says the deployment order is technically a local measure that would require the approval of the District’s governor‑in‑chief, who is currently a federal appointee. Consequently, Washington state officials are monitoring the legal compliance of the order and preparing contingency plans.
The situation underscores a broader national debate about homelessness, policing and civil unrest. With a growing number of streets in DC being claimed by people without stable housing, the city has seen a surge in crime rates by approximately 12% over the last two years. The National Guard’s role is intended not only to curb disorder but also to assist in outreach programs. The city plans to collaborate with social service agencies to provide temporary shelter solutions alongside the security efforts.