Desk: Thousands of people protested against the deployment of National Guards in Washington DC. They marched to the White House and raised slogans against US President Donald Trump. During this, people also had placards with slogans written on them. Trump had ordered the deployment of 800 National Guards in Washington on August 12. He said that this is being done to improve the deteriorating law and order situation in the capital.

The Washington rally started from Dupont Circle. The protesters raised slogans like Shame on you and Trump must go now. They demanded the repeal of Trump’s order declaring a crime emergency. The protesters moved towards the White House and kept raising slogans. Meanwhile, DC Metropolitan Police officers were watching them from a distance. 

Two days before the protests, Attorney General Pam Bondi tried to appoint Drug Enforcement Administration’s Terry Cole as ’emergency police commissioner’. Cole would be given full control of DC police. Attorney General Brian Schwalb appealed against this in the federal court and the administration canceled this plan. Schwalb said, our police force will not be taken over.

Many protesters said concerns were growing about Trump’s growing influence over DC policing and the presence of National Guard troops. A local, John Smith, said, “I think he has no idea what he’s talking about. I’m an old white man and I walk around safe all the time.” Several groups are planning more demonstrations in Washington in the coming weeks. The White House has not yet commented on this.

Meanwhile, West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey announced on Saturday that he would send 300 to 400 National Guards to Washington in support of Trump’s action. 200 National Guards will come from South Carolina and 150 from Ohio. Currently, 800 National Guards are deployed in Washington, which are directly controlled by the President.