It has felt hard to breathe since President Donald Trump won reelection on Nov. 5, 2024. As a Jewish-American, I recognize what a scary government that doesn’t look out for all constituents looks like. Since then, like many people, I have lived in fear of the ever-encroaching grip and agenda of a man who views people as nothing more than bargaining chips and stepping stones to power. From his administration’s censorship of journalists to the round-ups of people he deems are here illegally — often despite a lack of evidence — many Americans are scared of Trump. He lacks respect for most of his constituents, evidenced by the federal Metropolitan Police Department takeover taking place in our own backyard. Trump is trying to make an example of D.C. and flex his presidential authority to quiet the voices of citizens who speak out against the government, threatening our First Amendment rights.

Last week, Trump invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 2013, which states that the president may assume control of MPD for “special conditions of an emergency,” citing a high crime rate attributed to “violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged out maniacs and homeless people.” The takeover can be in effect for 30 days, until Congress passes a joint resolution either continuing or ending this control or until the end of the stated emergency. Trump has also called in 800 National Guard members to add more police presence than is currently available, a number only growing with the additions of various states’ National Guard members. But there is no emergency. Violent crime was down 26 percent as of last year. 

Since 1957, the National Guard has been deployed 11 times by six different presidents — and those times are substantially different than this time. Former presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon all used their authority over the National Guard to protect Americans and their civil rights in various forms. This included using the Guard to quell violence against Black Americans who faced an imminent threat during racial integration — like with the Little Rock Nine — and safeguarding the rights of Alabamians who were exercising their rights to protest for civil rights. These calls were warranted due to the imminent risk that, without further intervention, people could have been substantially hurt. But D.C. is not currently dealing with riots or rampant violence. This move by Trump is meant to signal that the government is watching the public — and that it can control the narrative around crime and the city through a visible, patrolling presence. 

Trump cited a growing presence of crime within the District as the cause for his action. But as of this year, violent crime alone is down 26 percent and total crime is down 7 percent, both compared to 2024. If D.C. is in such a state of emergency due to a massive problem with crime, then why do the statistics point to the contrary? This example stands out so much compared to the previous uses of the National Guard because, unlike before, this is a desperate attempt to tamp down a city that has never welcomed Trump. D.C. as a city has not once voted for Trump in a presidential election and frequently holds protests against many of his policies, like its version of the “No Kings” protest.

By bringing in this extra law enforcement, Trump is trying to make Washingtonians feel watched, targeted and subject to the rule of the president. He wants to show the country that even if they didn’t vote for him or aren’t in a state of crisis, he can still dominate in their lives. 

If the additional troops start stopping people more, it will indeed contribute to his narrative that D.C. that more crime happens here than it truly does. More police in a given area is frequently tied to increased racial profiling, which in turn creates more stops and arrests. This will further feed Trump’s narrative that D.C. is dangerous and actually in need of this government intervention. 

Trump is known to discriminate against people of color in housing, policing and more and has rounded people up en masse and largely by skin color — including in D.C. — only asking questions after the damage is done. D.C. residents are right to be scared of his authority over the police. Trump is no stranger to racial profiling and discrimination, and in one of the country’s few majority-minority cities, mostly Black and Brown men are now in an even more precarious position, particularly with the recurring ICE raids. Just a few days ago, ICE set up checkpoints and officers were asking people for immigration or citizenship status, even detaining people in the process. This racial profiling and discrimination can lead to increased rates of crime or arrests. 

Already in D.C., we have seen Trump paint over statements on Black Lives Matter in an attempt to quiet our voices. This new imposition of the National Guard serves as a deterrent for future expressions of activism, social and otherwise. Because of this order, advocates will now have to fear whether or not their First Amendment expressions will land them in legal trouble in a way that they never have before. What if an officer sees someone creating protest art or someone else standing in the streets chanting? The fear of arrest for crimes like vandalism and disturbing the peace will be at an all-time high, warranted or not. And what for academic institutions? Will we lose our funding if we allow democratic activity on our campuses if the National Guard happens to be in our cities?

Trump has already tried to turn this government into something none of us, nor many of our older family members, have ever even seen. We have seen Trump brazenly try to rid people of their speech and autonomy, particularly college students and immigrants — some of whom are both. He has ignored the facts and fired officials in favor of his own interests unashamedly. If Trump gets his way with this increased presence, D.C. could lose all of the civic demonstration and uniquely strong will that makes the city as powerful as it is, which is why I am so proud of the District’s leadership for suing for our rights so quickly. Now is the time to stand behind D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and unite as a district. If our president won’t act in our best interests and have some semblance of integrity, maybe some judge will. At this point in time, it truly feels like the takeover of the MPD is the clearest example yet of Trump trying to turn the country into something neither for the people nor by the people but instead a country for some people by one person.