Pam Bondi’s Bold Claims
Attorney General Pam Bondi sparked controversy during a Fox News segment where she claimed that residents in the National Guard-occupied Washington, D.C., were approaching armed soldiers to quietly express their gratitude for their presence in the city.
Fact vs. Fiction
Donald Trump’s recent move to flood Washington with federal law enforcement, including numerous troops from nearby Republican-led states under the guise of addressing a crime emergency, is challenged by statistics from the Justice Department and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) showing record low violent crime rates. Critics have labeled this initiative a transparent intimidation tactic aimed at undermining Democratic leaders and their constituents, while also suggesting it could lead to potential martial law in dissenting areas.
Bondi’s credibility has been called into question before. Earlier this year, she mentioned on Fox News that she had Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged “client list” on her desk but later contradicted herself in an official memo with the FBI, denying the list existed altogether.
Publication and Reaction
“Our law enforcement officers say they’re hearing whispers of thanks from the public, as many folks walk by them,” Bondi asserted on Fox Business. However, her assertions drew skepticism online, with one individual on X responding to the clip by pointing out the contradiction between her claims and the realities faced by local community members secure under the government’s heavy military presence.
A Striking Contrast
Trump’s alarming statements about rampant violent crime in D.C. clash with city police data that shows a significant 11% drop in homicides and a 26% decline in violent crime this year compared to 2024. The White House did not respond to inquiries for clarity on this issue last week.
Although his dubious claims have resulted in nighttime federal police deployment and the presence of 800 D.C. National Guard members, as well as guardsmen from several states, Trump was notably inactive when a massive group of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.
During that incident, five individuals died, and more than 174 police officers sustained injuries. Sadly, an officer who was assaulted died of a stroke the following day, with four others taking their lives months later. The estimated damage inflicted during the riot amounts to over $2.7 million.
CNN assessed that Trump hesitated to deploy the National Guard that day.
Local Leaders Push Back
Mayor Muriel Bowser sharply criticized the portrayal of the operations in August, arguing that it wasn’t solely aimed at addressing crime but also involved immigration enforcement — a key area of focus for the second Trump administration and beyond. In a press conference, Bowser expressed skepticism towards the administration’s motives, stating:
“This is about violent crime. No one opposes efforts to reduce any level of violence. If this is indeed connected to immigration enforcement, that should be explicitly stated.”
Weapons on the Streets?
Tensions could escalate, as Washington has been alerted of plans to allow armed National Guard presence, although specifics on the timing or deployment remain unclear, according to a confidential source. This stance diverges from prior commitments by the Pentagon, which had insisted troops would stay unarmed but stated last week that weapons would be available if required. Yet, D.C. National Guard officials hinted that troops might be armed according to their training and mission.
“At this time, we can confirm that service members may carry weapons as necessary for their assigned duties,” said Maj. Melissa Heintz, spokesperson for the D.C. Guard, without delving into further responses.
