Debate Over Crime and National Guard Deployment in D.C.
On Tuesday, Republican strategist Doug Hay responded to former Hillary Clinton spokesperson Karen Finney. This exchange followed President Donald Trump’s announcement about deploying the National Guard to Washington, D.C. This move has garnered opposition from Democrats and various media commentators. During a segment on CNN, Finney mentioned the decreasing crime rate in the area, but Hay interjected with his own experiences.
Hay recounted a troubling incident from two years ago, where he was robbed just five blocks away. “The kids who robbed me did the same thing again just half an hour ago,” he began, before Finney could chime in.
Finney pressed him, “How many years ago?” to which Hay confirmed that it was indeed two years prior.
“Sure, the crime rate may be down,” Finney reiterated, but she pointed out ongoing issues. “You could talk about a brawl I saw two weeks back or something even more peculiar, like public indecency.” She seemed to challenge the suggestion that D.C.’s crime problems were being effectively managed.
In addressing how to improve the situation, Finney asked about budget cuts and their implications. Hay offered his perspective that simply adding more police isn’t enough—he suggested appointing judges to expedite legal processes, “Because when we catch those kids who stole from us, they need to be tried.” He argued that there’s a significant shortage in the judicial system, which, he believes, is something that Trump could address.
Trump has referenced Section 40 of the District of Columbia Home Rules Act in his plan, proposing federal oversight of the D.C. Metropolitan Police to tackle crime more effectively.
The issue of crime in Washington has recently garnered attention, particularly following a series of high-profile incidents. On a related note, Trump has been seen with the National Guard since this announcement. Edward Colistine, a former staff member, shared a disturbing account on social media, describing his own experience of being repeatedly attacked by local assailants.
This attack reportedly occurred when he intervened during an attempted carjacking. A D.C. Metropolitan Police report indicated that around ten suspects were involved, with two 15-year-old boys later arrested.
While Democrats and some media outlets cite statistics showing that crime decreased by 35% in 2024, this data omits certain serious offenses, including aggravated assaults. The cases of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a Republican intern fatally shot in late June, and two Israeli embassy staff members injured near a Jewish museum, further highlight ongoing concerns in the capital.
