Majority of Washington, DC Residents Oppose Trump’s Federal Control of Police and National Guard Deployment

Poll Reveals Strong Opposition to Federal Control of DC Police Amid Rising Concerns

In a striking revelation, a recent Washington Post-Schar School poll indicates that approximately 80% of Washington, DC residents oppose President Donald Trump’s directive to federalize the city’s police department. The survey, conducted from August 14-17, highlights a growing unease among locals regarding the increased federal presence, including the deployment of the National Guard and FBI agents to patrol the streets.

The poll found that more than half of the respondents have noticed the heightened federal activity, with 61% expressing feelings of decreased safety as a direct consequence of Trump’s actions. This sentiment starkly contrasts with the narrative promoted by the Trump administration, which claims that federal intervention has made the city safer.

“We went from the most unsafe place anywhere to a place that now people, friends are calling me up, Democrats are calling me up, and they’re saying, ‘Sir, I want to thank you. My wife and I went out to dinner last night for the first time in four years, and Washington, DC, is safe. And you did that in four days,’” Trump stated during a recent White House briefing.

However, the poll results tell a different story. A significant 79% of DC residents oppose the federal takeover, with 69% expressing strong disapproval. Furthermore, 65% believe that Trump’s actions will not effectively reduce violent crime in the city. In contrast, residents suggest that solutions such as increased economic opportunities in impoverished neighborhoods (77%), stricter national gun laws (70%), and more local police presence (63%) would be more effective in addressing crime.

Trump’s unpopularity in the District is evident, with only 15% of residents approving of his overall job performance. This discontent is particularly pronounced among those who have experienced crime firsthand; support for Trump’s actions among this group stands at 34%, compared to just 8% among those without recent crime victimization.

The poll also reveals a notable shift in perceptions of crime in the city. Only 31% of residents now view crime as an extremely serious issue, a significant drop from 50% earlier this year. Meanwhile, 54% believe that crime is improving, up from 29%.

As tensions rise, local leaders are also feeling the pressure. About half of respondents believe that Mayor Muriel Bowser should take a stronger stance against Trump’s policies, while a significant 71% oppose DC police assisting federal efforts to deport undocumented immigrants.

Bowser’s approval rating remains steady at 53%, with 54% of residents rating the performance of DC police as good or excellent.

The Washington Post-Schar School poll surveyed 604 residents, with a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points, reflecting a community grappling with the implications of federal intervention and its impact on safety and governance in the nation’s capital.