Bread for the City’s Statement on the federalization of the MPD and deployment of National Guard into DC

Today, the president announced an immediate deployment of National Guard troops into the streets of Washington, DC and an unprecedented federalization of the DC Metropolitan Police Department. Of concern, the president also threatened to deploy the military and FBI agents across DC. Purportedly to decrease crime in the nation’s capital, these moves come on the heels of the Justice Department reporting that crime rates in DC are at a 30-year low and a 26% reduction in crime from this time last year. Regardless of these facts, and without clarity on the federal government’s rights to do so, the increased federal police presence across our city will cause harm to a community already suffering under historic disinvestment compounded by recent attacks on lifeline benefit programs. We are witnessing a clear criminalization of poverty and we are witnessing it right here in our backyard.

Every day, we at Bread for the City see dynamic community members representing diverse neighborhoods across all eight wards of Washington, DC. This city is home to more than 700,000 residents who are vibrant and contributing members to countless neighborhoods and communities. People experiencing poverty and homelessness are members of these communities as well. 

Prior to this announcement, the District had already experienced an unprecedented mobilization of the police state against an already vulnerable population, including the terrorization of DC’s immigrant community. Increased policing will increase fear and result in fewer people visiting providers, like Bread for the City, for food, housing, and medical services.

The people of DC are what make this city beautiful. 

Interventions by community and city leaders, including much-needed resource investment, have resulted in historically low crime rates in DC. Community-based solutions to public safety and continued investment by those in power will continue to move the needle. Not by a police occupation. Not by marginalization. Not by disappearing our neighbors.

Interfering with DC’s right to self-governance sets a dangerous precedent and threatens home rule. No U.S. president has ever invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. Bread for the City calls on DC’s leadership to resist this overreach to the full extent of their power. We ask national policymakers to reign in these unprecedented actions against a Black-led, BIPOC-majority, and autonomous city. We further urge congressional and federal administration visitors to our city to walk our streets, meet our people, and understand our unique challenges before pushing for unnecessary, wasteful, and harmful policies against our community.