Protesters gather near the White House, as U.S. President Donald Trump announced he is placing the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and deploying National Guard troops to Washington, D.C, in Washington D.C., U.S., August 11, 2025. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno
Washingtonians have delivered a quick response to what protesters characterize as an "occupation" of the District of Columbia by Donald Trump's federal forces.
However, the president is calling it all fake news.
Posting to Truth Social from Air Force One as he flew to Alaska, Trump claimed, "It’s just been found that the Democrats are buying protestors in order to fight my attack on crime. These are criminals who support crime. They are unelectable!"
Trump didn't provide any evidence of his claim.
A medium-sized group appeared outside the White House earlier this week, and each night in the city protesters have shouted at federal agents seen marching through streets.
On Wednesday night, protesters gathered at a police checkpoint where federal officials and Metropolitan Police Department Officers were handing out tickets for broken taillights and seat belt violations.
Earlier this week, a D.C. resident was arrested after throwing a sandwich at officers.
Republican Amanda Carpenter, who used to work for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), commented, "We were told they're going to stop violent crime. That's not violent crime, right? Everyone was sold under the idea that we have to stop the violent criminals. That is not what these troops are doing. They're strolling around the national monuments and the streets of Georgetown to have a big show of force, it's just like the military parade that Donald Trump wanted because he wants a show of force."