Trumps rhetoric about DC, Oakland echoes a history of racist narratives about urban crime

President Donald Trump ordered National Guard troops to D. C. on August 13, 2025, claiming an urgent public safety crisis. Local officials, including Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, contested his assertions as fear-mongering and detrimental to community trust. Many D.

C. residents view the troop deployment as a troubling violation of local autonomy, reminiscent of historical patterns of federal overreach in predominantly Black neighborhoods. Grassroots organizer April Goggans stated that communities have been bracing for a federal response since the summer of 2020 during racial justice protests. Some residents express mixed feelings about the deployment; while crime and homelessness are pressing issues, few agree with Trump's dire depiction of the city. The White House maintains that the National Guard's presence aims to deter crime and safeguard federal assets.

Critics fear that such tactics may extend to other majority-Black cities across the nation. The D. C. crime rate reportedly fell to its lowest level in over 30 years in 2024, challenging Trump's narrative.