As President Donald Trump’s deployment of Nationwide Guard troops in Washington continued Wednesday, protesters booed Vice President JD Vance throughout a photograph op with the guardsmen stationed within the metropolis.
The protesters jeered Vance, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth and White Home deputy chief of employees Stephen Miller as they visited Union Station, blocks from the U.S. Capitol, to thank the troops at a Shake Shack the place they purchased lunch for the guard members.
White Home Deputy Chief of Workers Stephen Miller, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, greet members of the Nationwide Guard at Union Station in Washington, Aug. 20, 2025.
Al Drago/AP
“Properly, loads has modified prior to now seven days,” Vance advised the troops, referring to when the federal surge in opposition to D.C. crime started. “You guys are doing a hell of a job. I am pleased with you and we’re grateful,” he advised the troops. “So, we’ll say good day for a bit — simply wish to shake some palms and say hey to you guys.”
“Free D.C.,” the protesters shouted because the three officers arrived after which later contained in the Shake Shack. The chants drowned out a lot of what Vance, Hegseth and Miller mentioned as they tried to talk to reporters.
Demonstrators chant, as Vice President JD Vance, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth and White Home Deputy Chief of Workers Stephen Miller go to members of the Nationwide Guard, at Union Station in Washington, August 20, 2025.
Al Drago/Reuters
Vance and Miller dismissed the jeers, calling the protesters “loopy” and “communists.”
Vice President JD Vance walks to satisfy with the Nationwide Guard at Union Station, Aug. 2025 in Washington.
Alexander Drago/Pool by way of AP
“They seem to hate the concept People can get pleasure from their communities,” Vance mentioned.
Vance was requested why troops have been stationed at Union Station as a substitute of elements of the town with larger crime charges. The vp mentioned the station was being overrun with homeless folks and guests did not really feel protected.
“This needs to be a monument to American greatness,” he mentioned.
White Home Deputy Chief of Workers Stephen Miller, Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Vice President JD Vance converse with members of the Nationwide Guard throughout a go to to Union Station, August 20, 2025 in Washington.
Al Drago-Pool/Getty Photos
Vance added that he believed that crime statistics don’t report the total scope of crime on the streets of the nation’s capital.
At a back-to-school occasion Wednesday morning, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser mentioned the town would not want federal brokers to make sure security in D.C.
“Crime has gone down in our metropolis and it has gone down precipitously during the last two years due to numerous arduous work, adjustments to our public security ecosystem, together with adjustments to the regulation,” Bowser mentioned. “And we all know that these details do not comport to what some persons are saying, however these are the details.”
Bowser additionally mentioned she would not imagine the Nationwide Guard needs to be used for “regulation enforcement.”
“They’ve for use on mission particular gadgets that profit the nation,” she mentioned of the guardsmen.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks as Pamela Smith, Chief of Police, Metropolitan Police Division, listens throughout a information convention in Washington, Aug. 20, 2025.
Rod Lamkey/AP
Nevertheless, when requested about how her relationship with President Trump has modified for the reason that begin of the 12 months, Bowser mentioned her plan is to “signify the district.”
Flanked by Metropolitan Police Division Chief Pamela Smith, Bowser repeatedly deferred to Smith when requested concerning the metropolis’s crime knowledge.
The MPD has been collaborative with the federal companies and up to now has developed a congenial relationship with its federal companions, in keeping with Smith. Smith additionally acknowledged having federal brokers unfold all through the town has been useful to the town’s police power.
“Listening to from the officers on the road, a few of them have discovered it to be very useful, some folks locally have discovered it to be very useful,” she mentioned.
ABC Information’ Arthur Jones II contributed to this report.
