One year ago today, Trump launched his federal take over of Washington D.C. — federalizing the D.C. police and sending in the National Guard. If you need a refresher about how this came to pass, I wrote about it here;
The current occupation has cost taxpayers $3 million dollars per day, with the Pentagon estimating an additional $1.4 billion to extend into 2029 (likely an under estimate).
Yet one year later, no evidence suggests the National Guard have had any impact on DC crime rates.
$3 million per day for troops to stand guard in metro stations is not just a waste of our tax dollars. This is the normalization of fascism.
The announcement that the National Guard will remain in D.C. until 2029 went largely unnoticed — no outrage, no calls to action, no social media virality. It’s old news. The sight of armed troops patrolling the capitol is normal.
This is exactly the point, and its not Trump’s fault alone. For decades, Americans have normalized the militarization of our police. Deploying actual troops is in many ways, a predictable escalation.
While legal challenges to the deployment continue, I’d argue the damage is done. Americans have grown accustomed to troops in an American city during peacetime, without any state of emergency to justify their presence. They’ve grown used to ICE agents in camouflage tactical gear kidnapping their neighbors. They’re fine with the police department in their small, suburban town purchasing military surplus when the biggest crime they ever see is jaywalking.
None of this is normal.
D.C. residents have not stopped fighting the occupation and Trump’s fascism. Now more than ever, they need your help.
FLARE has been on the ground for over a year with a 24/7 encampment where they organize resistance, lobbying, and mutual aid.
Meanwhile, mainstream media has allowed the normalization of Trump’s fascism. Now more than ever, its critical to support independent reporting. Consider upgrading your subscription to Stay Angry to help me continue this work, both in D.C. and around the country:
Don’t want to lose track of another subscription, but still want to support? I feel you. You can drop me a one time donation here:
And as always, help spread the word
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.