Armoured vehicles and National Guard soldiers have been stationed around Union Station and metro stations in Washington, DC, with troops appearing unarmed or only equipped with zip-tie handcuffs. Troops have been observed loitering, moving on escalators and chatting, often appearing bored and lacking proper equipment or vehicles. Residents and local officials expressed fear, confusion and anger, calling the deployment disrespectful to troops and alleging it aims for political gain. Reports include an ICE raid filmed with a crew and a Department of Homeland Security video featuring branded ICE trucks and a rap backing track. Critics labeled the deployment a manufactured crisis eroding local policing autonomy.
Outside Union Station in the US capital, bored-looking soldiers linger near two large armoured vehicles as commuters and tourists snap photos of the unusual scene. Inside the century-old transportation hub, a dozen National Guard soldiers pace the marble floors, appearing to be armed only with zip-tie handcuffs. list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3list 2 of 3list 3 of 3end of list Their presence has not directly disrupted traffic, but the Trump administration's deployment of federal forces part of its takeover of city policing has left Washington, DC, residents fearful and confused.
It's disrespectful to our troops to have to invade their own country essentially and be pitted against their own citizens, Kindle told Al Jazeera outside Union Station. He said he witnessed an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in neighbouring Maryland during which the immigration agents had their own film crew. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security released a video of golden-branded ICE trucks with President Donald Trump's name on the back featuring a rap song that says: My heart so cold I think I'm done with ice. This is a reality show for them, Kindle said. It's a f****** idiocracy.
Throughout Washington on Thursday, soldiers were seen going up and down the escalators at metro stations, chatting among themselves and loitering on street corners. From what I've seen and heard, many of the troops are standing around, many of them out in the elements, not supported with proper equipment or vehicles frankly looking bored, Washington Council member Zachary Parker told Al Jazeera. This is a manufactured crisis made up by the Trump administration for their own political gain, Parker said.
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