A Nation on Edge
Trump's National Guard Deployments and the Echoes of a Darker Past
Washington, D.C. - In a move that has sent shockwaves through the nation's capital and across the country, President Donald Trump ordered the deployment of the National Guard into Washington, D.C. on August 11, 2025. [2] This action, coupled with the federalization of the city's police force, was presented as a necessary "crime crackdown," a narrative that clashes with the city's own data showing a significant decrease in violent crime. [4] In fact, the largest incident of civil unrest in D.C. was during the Jan 6 Insurrection when Trump did not call out the National Guard as thousands of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol and threatened to kill numerous politicians including Rep. Nancy Pelosi and then Vice President, Mike Pence. The vaguely defined current mission for federalizing Washington, DC's police force and for deploying National Guard troops into Washington, DC also includes the removal of homeless individuals from the city, adding another layer of concern for civil liberties advocates.[3]
This dramatic show of force in the capital is not an isolated incident. It follows a similar deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in June 2025, an act that has been legally challenged by the state of California as an unconstitutional use of military force for domestic law enforcement. [6] That deployment was a response to protests against sweeping immigration raids that resulted in the detention of numerous non-criminal immigrants, a policy that began in earnest in November 2024 and has been marked by a lack of transparency and a disregard for due process. [8]
While some speculate that the sudden occupation of Washington is a calculated distraction from the re-emerged Jeffrey Epstein controversy, which has seen new revelations and a congressional investigation in recent weeks, a more chilling interpretation is gaining traction. [9] Viewing these events through the lens of history, particularly the rise of authoritarian regimes in the 20th century, reveals a disturbing pattern that aligns with the warnings of scholars like Timothy Snyder.
In his seminal work, "20 Lessons from the 20th Century," Yale historian Timothy Snyder provides a roadmap for identifying the erosion of democracy.[10] Several of his lessons resonate with unsettling clarity in the current political climate.
Lesson 4: "When listening to politicians, distinguish certain words." Snyder warns to "look out for the expansive use of 'terrorism' and 'extremism.' Be alive to the fatal notions of 'exception' and 'emergency.'"[10] The Trump administration's justification for the deployments in both Washington D.C. and Los Angeles hinges on the declaration of a "public safety emergency," a broad and potent term that can be used to justify extraordinary measures.[2]
Lesson 5: "Be calm when the unthinkable arrives." Snyder notes that authoritarians often exploit or create crises to consolidate power.[10] The deployment of military force against a backdrop of manufactured claims of rampant crime fits this description.
Lesson 17: "Watch out for the paramilitaries." Snyder cautions, "When the men with guns who have always claimed to be against the system start wearing uniforms and marching around with torches and pictures of a Leader, the end is nigh. When the pro-Leader paramilitary and the official police and military intermingle, the game is over."[10] The use of the National Guard, a military force, for domestic policing blurs a critical line, particularly when local law enforcement is placed under direct federal control, overriding local authority.[1]
The administration's approach to immigration further deepens these concerns. The mass deportations that began in late 2024, targeting individuals without criminal records, were executed with little to no detailed planning, creating chaos and fear within immigrant communities.[7] This mirrors the "othering" and persecution of minority groups that has historically been a precursor to more severe atrocities.
The deployment in Los Angeles, ostensibly to quell protests against these immigration raids, saw thousands of troops descend on the city against the will of local and state officials.[5] This disregard for the principles of federalism and local governance is a hallmark of an executive branch seeking to expand its power.
Whether the recent events in Washington D.C. are a cynical ploy to divert public attention or a more calculated step in a broader authoritarian project, the parallels to historical precedents are undeniable. The combination of a manufactured crisis, the deployment of military force for domestic law enforcement, the targeting of marginalized groups, and the concentration of power in the executive branch are all red flags that demand the attention and vigilance of every citizen. As Snyder's lessons remind us, the defense of democracy is not a spectator sport; it requires an informed and engaged citizenry willing to recognize the warning signs and act before it is too late.
References:
CBS News. (2025, August 10). Trump deploys National Guard to D.C., takes control of local police in crime crackdown. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-to-hold-news-conference-on-d-c-crime-amid-federal-takeover-threat/
Time. (2025, August 10). Citing “emergency,” Trump puts Washington, D.C. police under federal control and deploys National Guard. https://time.com/7308788/trump-washington-dc-national-guard/
PBS News. (2025, August 10). Trump says he’s placing Washington police under federal control and deploying the National Guard. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trump-says-hes-placing-washington-police-under-federal-control-and-deploying-the-national-guard
CBC News. (2025, August 10). Trump to deploy National Guard in D.C. — even as data shows crime at 30-year low. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/trump-national-guard-washington-1.7605793
California Public Radio. (2025, August 11). 5 things to know as Newsom and Trump go back to court over the National Guard in L.A. https://www.capradio.org/articles/2025/08/11/5-things-to-know-as-newsom-and-trump-go-back-to-court-over-the-national-guard-in-la/
PBS News. (2025, August 11). Judge to hear case on whether Trump violated federal law with National Guard deployment in L.A. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/judge-to-hear-case-on-whether-trump-violated-federal-law-with-national-guard-deployment-in-la
Politico. (2024, November 18). Trump’s first 100 days immigration agenda. https://www.politico.com/news/2024/11/18/immigration-100-days-trump-executive-action-00189286
The Guardian. (2024, November 18). Trump confirms he will utilize U.S. military to conduct mass deportations. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/nov/18/trump-military-mass-deportation
The Washington Post. (2025, July 28). What to know about the growing Jeffrey Epstein controversy. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/07/28/epstein-files-trump-what-to-know/
Yale Law School. (n.d.). Workshop readings – February 2 [PDF]. https://law.yale.edu/sites/default/files/workshop_readings_-_february_2.pdf