American capital lives dark atmosphere with Trump troops

National Guard troops from other states arrive in Washington to reinforce Trump’s ordered repression, affecting immigrant neighborhoods

The neighborhood of Columbia Heightsin Washington, known for its cultural diversity and the constant movement of tents selling Pupuses, fresh fruits, crafts and clothesdawned differently this Tuesday (20). The scenario of full streets and voices in various languages was replaced by silence and absence of customers.

“Everything stopped last week”, Reported Yassin Yahyaouitrader who sells glass jewelry and statuettes in the region. According to him, many of his customers, especially those who speak Spanish, “simply disappeared”After the hardening of federal actions.

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Sudden change in the routine is a reflection of the president’s decision Donald Trump to reinforce the capital with Federal Police and Immigration Agents. Although the presence of patrols initially focused on the National Mall And in the center of Washington, the impact is already felt in residential and commercial neighborhoods such as Columbia Heights, historically marked by the presence of immigrants.

Repression under criticism and distrust

The White House announced that Hundreds of prisons have already been carried out within the operation, which Trump classifies as necessary to contain what he calls “criminal emergency”In Washington. Local authorities, however, have harshly criticized the strategy, accusing the federal government of extrapolate your authority and to aggressively interfere with the city’s affairs.

Tension increased even more when the Washington’s main federal promoter, DCopened an investigation to investigate complaints that police officers would be falsifying criminal data. The investigation, revealed by an anonymous source, can strengthen the White House narrative, but contrasts with official statistics that show improvement in safety rates in the region.

Neither the Washington Mayor’s Office nor the local police department wanted to comment on the case.

Outside troops reinforce presence on the streets

About that, military guard military of other states They started to reach the capital. According to Columbia district joint task force (JTF-DC)soldiers from Western Virginia, South Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana They were moved to the city this week.

These troops will have the same functions as the members of the Washington National Guard already mobilized: protect sights, control crowds and reinforce surveillance on the streets. According to JTF-DC, they will be staying in Military housing and hotels in the region while the operation lasts.

Alert city

With the increase in repression, the climate in the US capital has become apprehended, especially among immigrant communities that traditionally move the economy of neighborhoods such as Columbia Heights. For traders such as Yahyaoui, the presence of military and federal agents already has a direct impact on business and everyday life.

The expansion of the operation marks a new phase of Trump’s security policy, which promises to maintain pressure on the capital and does not rule out new measures. Meanwhile, local residents and authorities are waiting to see how far federal intervention is – and what will be its consequences for the city.

The federal operation transforms the routine in the Washington neighborhoods

As interventions of federal authorities They became visible in various parts of the city. A few blocks from the Yassin Yahyaoui store, for example, agents from US Immigration and Customs Service (ICE) and the local police intercepted a motorcycle pizza delivery. The officers, wearing tactical vests and driving unidentified vehiclesinterrogated the man and demanded that he presented Documents related to employment and legal status of residence. No prison was made, but the approach reinforced the climate of tension in the surroundings.

Since the beginning of the operation, in August 7the White House announced that 465 people were arrestedincluding 206 that were in the country in an irregular way. The Trump government has intensified migratory supervision and, in August 11the president signed a decree placing the police department of the capital under federal control for 30 days – Any extension would depend on Congress approval.

Second Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretaryTrump would be “defending without apologizing for the safety of American citizens complying with law”.

Local trade feels the effects

No Columbia Heights neighborhoodtraders report direct impacts on the local economy. GOMEZ GLORIDAwho has been working for over ten years in a fruit tent, said that businesses are currently worse than during the covid-19 pandemic. Many salespeople have decided not to attend for fear of interactions with federal agents.

The situation also affects customers. Queen Sosaanother seller in the region, said that consumers “are saving money in case something happens”, Referring to the possibility of arrests by the immigration police. Ana Lemuswhich also sells fruits, asked more humanity by the government. “Remember that these are affected people. The government must protect community members, not attack or discriminate them”He said.

Registered arrests and confrontations

Some arrests were recorded on video, increasing the repercussion of the operation. On Saturday morning, Christian Enrique Carias Torres was arrested during a FIGHT WITH ICE AGENTSand the images quickly circulated through social networks. According to the testimony of an agent of the FBICarias Torres kicked one of the officers in the leg and another was injured by falling and hitting his head on the sidewalk. To contain it, a shock weaponand he was accused of resist prison on Tuesday.

In other parts of the city, the presence of multiple federal agencies created a scenario of great tension. Node Petworth neighborhoodnearly 20 FBI police, internal security, parks and US delegates police They broke into an apartment building on Tuesday morning. A resident was handcuffed in the sight of everyone, while Yanna Stelle, 19 years oldwho witnessed the action, reported hearing conversations for walkie-talkies while the agents circulated through the corridors.

“It was a lot of police early in the morning – especially for them to be just serving a warrant”Commented Stelle, impressed by the force employed by the federal authorities.

The movement of federal authorities on the streets of Washington, DC, is already visible in neighborhoods such as Columbia Heights, Petworth and around the National Mall. Since the operation started in August 7agents of ICE, FBI, Park Police and Federal Delegates They intensified immigration inspection and presence in public places, causing profound changes in the city’s routine.

The lives of local traders have been directly affected. Fruit, jewelry and souvenir stalls, which once filled the streets, now remain empty. GOMEZ GLORIDAwhich has been selling fruits for over ten years, said the movement is worse than during the covid-19 pandemicwhile Queen Sosa He said customers “keep money in case something happens.” Ana Lemusalso saleswoman, appealed for more humanity of governmentremembering that “the government must protect community members, not attack or discriminate them.”

The tension climate intensifies with approved approaches and arrests on video. In Petworth, about 20 federal agents invaded an apartment building, while in another part of the city Christian Enrique Carias Torres was arrested during a fight with Ice agents, using even a shock weapon to contain it.

More National Guard troops arrive in the capital

The Trump government plans to further expand the federal presence in Washington. Beyond 800 Local National Guard troopsmore 1,100 soldiers from other states They must arrive, including Ohio and Tennessee units. The White House defends the measure as necessary to “Protect American citizens complying with the law”According to Abigail Jackson, spokesman for the presidency.

However, the movement faces increasing resistance. The Democratic Deputy Sam Liccardofrom California, presented a project demanding detailed reports on costs, legal base and national guard interactions with civilians. Forty -four colleagues signed the proposal, including the delegate without the right to vote for Washington, Eleanor Holmes Norton. Liccardo wondered if actions like this would be a test of a “broader authoritarian taking from local communities”, Remembering that the founders of the country were suspicious of the“ executive control of permanent armies ”.

Operation Limits and Results

Experts warn that the presence of National Guard does not replace the policesince the soldiers have no police training. Jeff Asher,, criminal analyst, stressed: “I don’t know if it is fair to expect much from the National Guard in this context.”

The Trump government, however, celebrated the effects of the operation. In social media posts, the president said he turned Washington “The ‘The most insecure city’ in the United States” to “perhaps the safest, and improving every hour!” Data from Metropolitan Police show that the number of crimes fell about 8% compared to the previous weekwith falls in theft and vehicle theft, stability in homicides and slight increase in burglary.

Nevertheless, experts warn that a week is insufficient time to evaluate real changes. Asher stated that the 30 days of federal control over the policepermitted by the Autonomy Law of Columbia district, represent “a very short period to really say anything.”

With information from AP*