Trump Orders Deployment of 800 National Guard Soldiers in Washington .. What is the Reason?

The Pentagon announced yesterday, Thursday, the deployment of 800 National Guard members in the capital Washington, by direct order of U.S. President Donald Trump, in a move aimed at supporting law enforcement authorities, amid political controversy and criticism from prominent figures, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who described the decision as "an unbalanced step."

In an official statement, Pentagon spokesperson Kingsley Wilson confirmed that "all elements of the Army and Air National Guard have been deployed as part of the joint task force in the capital, and they are now present in Washington, D.C."

She added that these members will provide direct support to the D.C. police department and federal law enforcement in securing vital sites, patrolling the streets, and protecting federal buildings and residents.

Wilson emphasized that these forces "will remain stationed in the capital until order is restored and law is fully enforced, based on President Trump's directives."

In a later statement, the U.S. Army clarified that the primary goal of this step is "to provide a visible security presence in sensitive public areas, which serves as an effective deterrent to crime."

It also indicated that National Guard members will not participate in making arrests or searches, but they have the authority to "temporarily detain anyone if there is an imminent threat."

The statement confirmed that the forces will be equipped with protective gear, while firearms will remain in storage, with the possibility of use if necessary.

This development comes as part of a security campaign launched by President Trump to combat crime in the capital, despite official statistics indicating a decrease in violent crime rates in recent months in Washington.

It also follows weeks after he deployed National Guard and Marine Corps troops in Los Angeles following a wave of unrest that followed immigration-related raids last June.

The deployment of the National Guard in Washington is a rare precedent, as it is one of the areas directly managed by the federal government, not by a state governor as is the case in other parts of the country.

Typically, National Guard forces are under the authority of state governors, but in the case of Washington, these forces are directly subject to the orders of the U.S. President.

This step has sparked widespread debate in political and media circles, with Hillary Clinton criticizing Trump's decision, arguing that it "inflames tensions and does not address their root causes."

She added that "the use of the National Guard in cities for internal security purposes must be done with extreme caution and full coordination with local authorities."

As the forces continue to spread through the streets, Americans are watching for developments in the situation between security support for the president and increasing political opposition to his handling of domestic crises.