Thousands of Washington residents have been marching today demanding that the National Guard to retire, following President Donald Trump’s decision, is patrolling the streets of the US federal capital.

Participants on the “We are all DC” (“We are all region of Columbia”) shouted slogans against Trump and holding placards that read “Trump must leave now”, “free DC” and “resistance to tyranny”. Among them were irregular migrants and supporters of Palestine.

“I’m here to protest the occupation” in the federal capital, “said one demon, Alex Laufer. “We oppose the authoritarian regime and we need to expel the federal police and the National Guard from our streets.”

Claiming that crime in the capital has been launched, Trump has developed the army to “restore law, order and public security”. He also raised the Metropolitan Police of the city under federal control and sent federal officials, including agents of the Migration and Customs Service, to patrol the streets.

The facts of the Ministry of Justice, however, show that in 2024 the number of violent crimes committed in Washington was the lowest of the last 30 years.

“What they are trying to do in Columbia’s periphery is what other dictatorships are trying to do,” said one man, Casey, who refused to give his surname. “They do a test here and if people tolerate it, they will do it in more and more areas. We have to stop it as much as we can. “

More than 2,000 soldiers – designated from states with Republican rulers – patrol the city. It is unclear when their mission will be terminated, but this week the army extended the commandments of the National Guard for the capital until November 30.

The Attorney General of the District Brian Sualb appealed to the courts on Thursday, demanding that the army be withdrawn because its development is unconstitutional and violates many federal laws. Some residents, however, welcomed the National Guard but called for the soldiers to develop in the less wealthy districts, where crime is increased. Members of the National Guard have been seen to patrol the center and tourist attractions.

The mayor of the city Muriel Bauzer praised Trump’s initiative but hoped for the National Guard’s mission to end soon, as there is a vertical decline in crime.