Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, recently called out Democrats and media outlets for their criticism of President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard to combat crime in Washington, D.C. The congressman, whose D.C. apartment complex was robbed last year, argued that the city remains a dangerous place, despite the federal government’s efforts to address the growing wave of violence. Hunt pointed to a recent robbery incident at his own complex, where a front desk attendant was robbed of her belongings just several floors away from his unit. ‘Downstairs in my apartment complex, there was a woman who was robbed,’ Hunt said in an interview with Fox News Digital. ‘She had her computer stolen, her phone stolen, and her iPad stolen right behind the desk, and we were all blocks away from the Capitol.’
Hunt also brought up the recent robbery of Rep. Henry Cuellar at gunpoint, which occurred in the same area nearby. He argued that the situation in the nation’s capital is far from safe, despite the Trump administration’s claims of success in curbing crime. ‘I don’t understand what these [critics] are talking about. It’s not safe,’ Hunt remarked. He further accused Democratic governors like Tim Walz of using National Guard resources for non-criminal purposes, such as enforcing state-level public health restrictions during the pandemic. ‘Tim Walz used the National Guard to implement COVID restrictions on people, not to take care of the murder capital of the United States,’ Hunt stated. This criticism comes as Democrats continue to oppose Trump’s military intervention, with House Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin introducing a resolution to prevent the president from keeping service members stationed in the District of Columbia.
Trump’s National Guard deployment in D.C. has been justified under Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which allows the president to declare a public emergency and deploy federal resources in the area. The administration has also emphasized the success of the operation, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating that 465 arrests have been made since the start of the operation, including the arrest of an MS-13 gang member with drug charges and a DWI record. However, some residents and officials have expressed mixed reactions to the military presence. James Laverty, a Capitol Hill staffer, told Fox News that the operation has made a ‘noticeable difference’ in the capital, particularly in areas like the Navy Yard and U Street, where there has been a shift in the atmosphere and perceived safety.
Hunt’s comments reflect a broader divide over the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement. While some argue that the National Guard’s presence is necessary to address the rising crime rates, others view it as an overreach of executive power. The dispute underscores the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and Democratic lawmakers, who continue to challenge the legality and effectiveness of the military’s role in U.S. cities. As the administration pushes forward with its crackdown on crime, the debate over national security, law enforcement, and the role of the federal government in urban areas is likely to remain a key point of contention in the political landscape.