Bringing prominent White House support to the streets of Washington, Vice President JD Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday visited with National Guard troops at the city’s main train station as protesters chanted “free D.C.” — the latest tense interlude from President Donald Trump’s crackdown in the nation’s capital.

The appearance, which also included White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, was a striking scene that illustrated the Republican administration’s intense focus on the situation in Washington and its willingness to promote an initiative that has polarized the Democratic-led city.

An estimated 1,900 troops are being deployed in D.C. More than half are coming from Republican-led states. Besides Union Station, they've mostly been spotted around downtown areas, including the National Mall and metro stops.

"We're here to say: from D.C. to Palestine, we are on the side of the people, we want occupation of no communities, and we want to be investing in the very things that make communities thrive, and it's not more military," said Washington D.C. resident Olivia DiNucci, who took part in the protests.