WASHINGTON — Tensions escalated in the U.S. capital on Saturday as President Donald Trump increased law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C. Members of the National Guard were stationed near the Washington Monument, prompting confusion among tourists. A group from Kentucky questioned the need for the troops, while some families took the opportunity to pose for photos with them.

The deployment of National Guard members and heavily armed police has surged following Trump’s executive order declaring a crime emergency in the city. Many residents expressed outrage over what they perceive as an overreach of federal power. On Saturday, protests erupted as demonstrators marched toward the White House, holding signs that read "Hands off DC" and "Dump Trump," while chanting, "Trump must go."

Autumn Tustin, a protester carrying a sign that said "No ICE! No National Guard!" emphasized the importance of standing against Trump’s actions. "Being part of a movement feels like the best thing we can do at this point," she said. Tustin described the situation as feeling like "frogs in a boiling pot of water," where ongoing changes could lead to significant consequences. She criticized the National Guard's presence in tourist areas, calling it "bizarre" and a "waste of talent and money."

In response to the situation, West Virginia, Ohio, and South Carolina have authorized the deployment of hundreds of additional National Guard members to Washington. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey stated, "West Virginia is proud to stand with President Trump in his effort to restore pride and beauty to our nation’s capital."

The city has also seen an influx of federal law enforcement officers from agencies like the Secret Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Social media has been flooded with videos showing federal agents conducting operations in neighborhoods, including apprehending delivery drivers and dismantling homeless camps. One viral video captured a man throwing a sandwich at a federal officer, leading to the man’s termination from his job at the U.S. Justice Department and felony charges.

Despite the backlash from residents, local leaders have limited power to counteract Trump’s actions. The District of Columbia is under federal control, requiring local officials to comply with the president’s directives. Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged the challenges in a letter to residents, stating that the city’s "limited self-government has never faced the type of test we are facing right now."

Trump defended his actions, claiming that crime "is getting worse, not getting better," despite police data indicating a decline in violence in the capital. Washington has a history of violent crime, particularly during the drug epidemics of the 1980s and early 1990s. Although there was a spike in violent crime in 2023, it significantly decreased the following year and has continued to decline in 2025.

Much of the National Guard's presence appears to be symbolic, as they endure the summer heat near national monuments. However, the increased law enforcement presence has sparked fear and anger among many residents. Notably, there has been a visible rise in police activity in neighborhoods like Columbia Heights and in entertainment districts near the White House. The extent of increased policing in higher-crime areas in southeast Washington remains unclear. Trump was reported to be at his Virginia golf club on Saturday.