Congresswoman Betty McCollum Statement on Deployment of National Guard in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Monday morning, President Trump announced that he would deploy the D.C. National Guard and assign Attorney General Pam Bondi to oversee the federalized Washington Metropolitan Police Department. In response to this authoritarian crackdown, Congresswoman Betty McCollum issued the following statement:

“On January 6, 2021, President Trump dithered and delayed in calling out the National Guard when his violent supporters laid siege on the U.S. Capitol. During this dangerous vacuum of leadership, Washington, D.C. Mayor Bowser stepped in to direct the D.C. Metropolitan Police to provide critical back-up for the U.S. Capitol Police. Their actions saved lives and limited injuries as they restored order and rescued those trapped inside the Capitol. It is entirely fair to wonder what Trump would have done if he were in control of the Metropolitan Police Department then.  

“The fact that Trump has chosen this moment to federalize law enforcement in our Nation’s Capital, when violent crime is at a three-decade low, demonstrates this is a political game to him. But it’s far worse – it’s a dangerous escalation towards authoritarianism intended to distract from his incompetent mismanagement of tariffs, health care, and the economy during his first 200 days as President. Just like his useless deployment of the Marines and National Guard to Los Angeles earlier this year, this is also a colossal waste taxpayer resources.”