On Sunday, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) expressed strong opposition to President Donald Trump deploying the National Guard to Washington, D.C. The senator labeled this action as an "abuse of power," claiming it was a manufactured emergency aimed at asserting control over the city. In an interview with This Week co-anchor Martha Raddatz, Van Hollen stated, “All of this is a total abuse of power. It’s a manufactured emergency.”
Van Hollen acknowledged that there are opportunities for D.C. to improve its efforts in reducing violent crime, as is the case nationwide. However, he pointed out that crime rates in Washington, D.C., are currently at a 30-year low, with a reported 26% decrease in violent crime since 2024. He remarked, “This is all an opportunity for Donald Trump to play dictator in Washington, D.C.”
The senator raised concerns regarding the legal implications of Trump's actions. While he noted the President has the authority to deploy troops, he questioned the justification for labeling the situation as an emergency. Raddatz pressed him on the matter, asking, “So, what is the abuse of power here?” Van Hollen responded, “The abuse of power is claiming that this is an emergency. Everyone watching knows that this is not an emergency in Washington, D.C.”
Despite the ongoing debates, approximately 800 National Guard troops have been deployed around the city, following announcements from several Republican-led states about additional troops joining the effort. There are reports suggesting that the National Guard could soon be armed, which Van Hollen found concerning. He stated, “The National Guard is not supposed to engage in any local law enforcement activity,” referencing the Posse Comitatus Act that restricts military involvement in local law enforcement.
In the face of Van Hollen's criticisms and protests from Washington residents, the White House has defended its decision to enhance federal law enforcement presence in the city. They argue that the deployment of the National Guard is both necessary and legal. During the interview, Van Hollen highlighted the financial aspect, urging Congress to allocate the $1 billion necessary to hire more local police officers instead of relying on federal agents.
He emphasized, “Taxpayers all over the country should question how we are using national resources. The FBI and DEA should focus on violent criminals, not on removing tents of homeless people in D.C.” This sentiment reflects a growing concern over the diversion of national resources to local issues.
Raddatz raised concerns about Trump potentially extending control over D.C. police beyond the legal 30-day limit, asking Van Hollen how Congress might respond. Van Hollen asserted, “That clearly is a violation of the statute. We’ll end up right back in court.” He underscored that the President’s attempts to exert control over local law enforcement have already faced judicial challenges.
In addition to discussing the National Guard deployment, Van Hollen shared his thoughts on the recent Trump-Putin summit. He expressed disappointment, stating, “Donald Trump, once again, got played by Vladimir Putin.” He criticized the lack of tangible outcomes from the meeting, such as a ceasefire or further discussions between Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Van Hollen urged Congress to move forward with bipartisan legislation aimed at imposing sanctions on Russia, emphasizing the need for clear objectives in international relations. He noted, “While personal relations are important, they should not come at the cost of national interests.”
As the situation continues to evolve, the ramifications of Trump's actions regarding the National Guard and international diplomacy are sure to remain at the forefront of national dialogue.
