D.C. Checkpoint Sparks Community Backlash Amid Federal Law Enforcement Surge Ordered by Trump.
A traffic checkpoint jointly operated by Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police and federal agents triggered significant community unrest on Wednesday evening, as former President Donald Trump’s federal takeover of the city’s policing entered its third consecutive night. Residents expressed vocal outrage over what many viewed as an unprecedented and intimidating show of force in a popular neighborhood known for its nightlife.
Eyewitnesses on the scene reported that several vehicles were stopped for inspection by authorities along the 14th Street corridor, a bustling stretch of the city lined with bars, restaurants, and shops. During the operation, at least one individual was observed being handcuffed and detained by law enforcement officials. Though officials labeled the action as a “routine” checkpoint, community members and longtime residents strongly contested that claim, saying the heightened presence of federal agents was far from normal.
Reactions from protesters
Dozens of people gathered on both sides of the street, shouting at the officers and expressing anger over what they described as an abuse of power and a threat to civil liberties. Protesters chanted phrases like “Shame!” and “You are the criminals!” while others shouted, “Get the f**k out of here!” and “Take off your mask!”—a demand aimed at federal agents wearing face coverings to obscure their identities.
The public outcry came as Trump suggested that he may seek congressional approval to extend federal control over D.C.’s law enforcement beyond the initial 30-day period. Speaking at a Kennedy Center event earlier this week, Trump indicated that if Congress failed to act quickly, he might proceed under emergency powers. “If it’s a national emergency, we can do it without Congress,” he said. “But we expect to be — before Congress very quickly. And again, we think the Democrats will not do anything to stop crime, but we think the Republicans will do it almost unanimously.”
14th Street buzz with D.C. Agents
Despite the heightened tensions and aggressive rhetoric, the crowd gathered on 14th Street remained non-violent throughout the demonstration. Protesters confined themselves to the sidewalks, and no physical altercations were reported between demonstrators and law enforcement. More than a dozen officers were seen staffing the checkpoint, most of them from D.C.’s local police force. However, federal agents from the Department of Homeland Security’s Investigations Division and Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations were also present. No members of the National Guard were spotted at the scene on Wednesday night.
A D.C. police commander at the scene, who declined to provide his name or speak on camera, insisted the checkpoint was part of standard policing procedures in the area. His statement was met with disbelief by locals, who said they had never seen anything like it before.
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“This has never happened in my 17 years of living here,” said one woman. “Even when crime spiked during the worst periods of the COVID-19 pandemic, we didn’t have something like this.”
Another resident, Mara Lasko, stood nearby holding a sign that simply read “ICE,” warning drivers of the checkpoint ahead. She told reporters: “I’ve lived in D.C. for 15 years, and yeah, sometimes they stop people, but not like this. This is totally different. This is crazy.”
Asked whether the expanded presence of federal forces made her feel safer, Lasko was unequivocal. “No. It makes people more angry, more anxious. I don’t think it’s helping. They’re not doing anything productive to actually reduce crime or make this city a safer place.”
Expect more National Guard
In a separate development, a White House official confirmed that a much larger deployment of National Guard troops was scheduled to take effect later in the week. The Guard, which had already made a visible appearance near the Washington Monument on Tuesday with five armored vehicles, would transition from a nighttime-only presence to a 24/7 operational role beginning Wednesday evening.
A spokesperson for the National Guard clarified that as of Wednesday night, troops had not been authorized to carry weapons, although that policy could shift depending on directives from the White House or military leadership.
What are the Federal Agents’ role
The Guard’s role, according to officials, would focus on logistical support and assistance—not direct engagement with civilians. “The National Guard is not arresting people,” one White House source said. “Their job is to create a secure environment for federal and local law enforcement officers.”
On Thursday, an even greater number of Guard personnel were expected to be stationed at metro stations, as well as national monuments and memorials across the city, including prominent landmarks like the Washington Monument. This deployment follows Trump’s announcement earlier in the week that he had ordered federal officers to begin patrolling D.C. streets, citing concerns about rising crime. However, official statistics show that violent crime in Washington has actually declined over the past two years, following a peak in 2023.
The White House confirmed that 43 individuals were arrested on Tuesday night as part of the sweeping new task force operations. The arrests, according to a White House spokesperson, were all carried out by the joint law enforcement group composed of both federal agents and D.C. police officers. The task force is a key component of Trump’s federal “law and order” surge, which has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights advocates and local leaders who say the initiative threatens democratic norms and community trust.
As the federal presence in the capital continues to grow, so too does public concern—raising questions about whether these measures are truly aimed at enhancing public safety or simply exerting political control under the guise of crime prevention.
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