Community Outrage Erupts at DC Checkpoint as Trump’s Police Takeover Enters Third Night

In Washington D.C., tensions escalated on Wednesday night as a checkpoint manned by local police and federal agents sparked community outrage during the third day of the city’s law enforcement takeover at the president’s behest.

At the 14th Street corridor, a popular hotspot for bars and restaurants, numerous vehicles were temporarily stopped, and one individual was handcuffed and led away by authorities. The sight of this checkpoint prompted a vocal response from local residents who lined both sides of the street, shouting protests at the officers for approximately two hours.

Their outbursts included phrases like “Shame,” “You are the criminals,” and “Get out of here.” Some federal agents, wearing masks to conceal their identities, were met with calls of “Take off your mask!”

Following earlier reports suggesting an increase in National Guard presence in the city, CNN did not observe any significant changes by midnight on Thursday. However, five armored personnel carriers were spotted near the Washington Monument on Tuesday evening, with a larger National Guard presence expected later in the day.

Although the crowd remained vocal and peaceful, no physical altercations between protesters and law enforcement were witnessed by CNN’s team at the scene. Besides D.C. Police officers, who comprised the majority of the over a dozen officers present, representatives from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), divisions of the Department of Homeland Security and ICE respectively, were also noted. National Guard troops were absent at the checkpoint on Wednesday night.

Separately, the National Guard began appearing in the capital city on Tuesday, with a higher presence expected to be implemented later in the day. As of Wednesday evening, no orders had been given for guardsmen in the city to carry their weapons, although this could change depending on future instructions.

A commander from D.C. Police, who declined to be identified and requested not to appear on camera, claimed that the checkpoint was a routine operation conducted by the Metropolitan Police Department in the area. This assertion was met with skepticism by residents interviewed by CNN.

One resident who has lived in the neighborhood for 17 years expressed her disbelief, stating, “We’ve never seen this before, not even during the worst times of Covid when crime was high.” Another local resident, who held up a sign warning motorists about the checkpoint, said, “I’ve lived here for 15 years and I’ve seen them stop people before, but nothing like this. It’s crazy.”

When asked if she believed the increased federal law enforcement presence in Washington could enhance safety for residents, she responded, “No, it just angers people more, and I don’t think they are contributing positively to making our city safer.”

The National Guard’s role in enforcing law and order in D.C. could evolve depending on their orders. The Army stated in a Monday statement that the guard will provide administrative and logistical support, as well as back up other law enforcement officers patrolling the city.

According to a White House official, National Guard members are not making arrests; instead, they are there to create a safe environment for other officers. On Thursday, more guardsmen are expected to offer assistance to law enforcement and establish a physical presence at metro stations and national memorials and monuments, similar to the presence observed near the Washington Monument on Tuesday night.

At present, no requests have been made for National Guardsmen to assist in making arrests or detaining individuals. President Trump announced his intentions to take over the city’s police department on Monday and ordered federal law enforcement to begin patrolling D.C. He justified this action by citing high crime rates; however, city statistics show a decrease in violent crime over the past two years after peaking in 2023.

The White House reported 43 arrests in D.C. on Tuesday night, all made by the new task force established as part of federal surge efforts that includes both federal law enforcement and local D.C. police officers. The president first mobilized federal law enforcement to patrol the city last week, following an attempted carjacking incident involving a former Department of Government Efficiency staffer. Since then, federal law enforcement has made 103 arrests, according to White House reports.

The average number of adult arrests per day in D.C. was approximately 55 in 2024, as reported by the city’s police department’s data.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser emphasized the importance of ensuring that the federal law enforcement surge benefits the city and urged residents to “stay safe” and “be smart.” She acknowledged concerns about democracy and encouraged peaceful protests while encouraging residents to adhere to the law and continue with their daily lives.

At a Kennedy Center event on Wednesday, President Trump hinted at seeking an extension of federalization of the city’s police force beyond 30 days, stating, “If it’s a national emergency, we can do it without Congress, but we expect to be – before Congress very quickly. And again, we think the Democrats will not do anything to stop crime, but we think the Republicans will do it almost unanimously.”