MSNBC host Joe Scarborough has admitted that many Democrats are secretly supporting President Donald Trump’s federalization of D.C. police and deployment of National Guard troops to address the city’s crime issue. Scarborough acknowledged that, while Democrats publicly criticize Trump’s crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital, some privately share concerns about the city’s safety. The former host of ‘Morning Joe’ described his personal experiences, noting that even his own friends are hesitant to walk more than three blocks in D.C. at night, in contrast to the relative safety of New York City. Scarborough expressed his belief that New York is safer than Washington, D.C., highlighting the dangers he perceives in the capital. The White House’s recent crackdown on crime in D.C. has already resulted in over 1,000 arrests, with more than 43 arrests reported on Tuesday alone. While some Democrats have dismissed Trump’s claims about the city’s crime situation, the administration’s actions have led to a noticeable increase in arrests in the city.
The administration’s decision to federalize D.C.’s police force and deploy National Guard troops has drawn significant criticism from Democrats, despite the fact that some within the party are quietly endorsing the move. Scarborough noted that many of his viewers and listeners have expressed concerns about the safety of D.C., with some suggesting that the federal government should have taken a more active role in addressing the city’s crime problem much earlier. The host emphasized that while he understands the public’s concern about Donald Trump potentially overstepping his authority, he believes that the situation in D.C. is dangerously out of control. He highlighted the fact that crime has been a persistent issue in the capital for over three decades, regardless of which political party is in power.
Scarborough also mentioned his own experiences living in and around D.C., comparing the safety of the city to that of New York City. He described how even his close friends, who are Democrats, are reluctant to venture more than three blocks from their homes at night due to the perceived dangers. In contrast, he stated that he feels completely safe walking through New York City, where he has lived for years and is familiar with the streets. The host also pointed out that he has personally taken to riding his bike around the city, often going door to door, without feeling any sense of risk that his New York City counterpart would ever face. Scarborough argued that while the city’s crime rates have improved, it remains a place where people cannot feel entirely secure, especially those who have lived there for decades.