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Trump arms the National Guard in Washington, controversy over crime statistics

The president orders the use of weapons ‘only as a last resort’. Mayor Bowser replies: ‘Crime rates at 30-year lows’

The White House decision — The 2,200 members of the National Guard deployed in Washington on the orders of President Donald Trump are now armed and authorised to use weapons “only as a last resort” in the event of “imminent threat of death or serious injury”. The news, confirmed by a spokesperson and reported by NBC and the New York Times, represents a further step in the White House’s crackdown on the US capital.

Washington under federal control – Trump had already activated the National Guard earlier this month to deal with what he called “out-of-control levels of crime” and placed local police under federal control, sparking protests and criticism. “Washington is a crime-infested hole,” the president said.

Contrast with official data – However, statistics provided by the district attorney’s office paint a different picture: no significant increase in crime and, according to Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, ‘the city has the lowest crime rates in 30 years.’ Meanwhile, the military is increasingly visible even in tourist areas not considered particularly at risk.

Possible extension to Chicago – According to the Washington Post, Trump is also considering similar measures for Chicago, led by Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has called the possible intervention ‘illegitimate’ and ‘uncoordinated.’ Johnson warned that an unagreed deployment ‘risks exacerbating tensions between residents and law enforcement’ and pointed out that homicides, robberies and shootings in the city have ‘significantly decreased over the past year.’

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