Wesley Hunt Defends Trump’s National Guard Move Amid Rising D.C. Crime Debate

Congressman Wesley Hunt’s Take on Crime in D.C. and Trump’s National Guard Move

Washington, D.C., isn’t exactly a stranger to heated debates, but lately, the conversation has shifted from politics to safety. Congressman Wesley Hunt, a Republican from Texas, isn’t holding back when it comes to calling out Democrats and parts of the media for criticizing President Donald Trump’s decision to bring the National Guard onto the streets of the capital. For Hunt, this isn’t just politics—it’s personal.

A Personal Wake-Up Call

Imagine living in the heart of the nation’s capital, just minutes away from the Capitol building, and realizing you’re not safe even inside your own apartment complex. That’s exactly what Hunt experienced. Last year, his building in the Navy Yard neighborhood was broken into, and the incident hit far too close to home.

• A front desk attendant in his complex was robbed.

• Her computer, phone, and iPad were stolen right behind the reception desk.

• This all unfolded just a few floors beneath Hunt’s own apartment.

“Across the street from us, Congressman Henry Cuellar was robbed at gunpoint. I don’t understand what these critics are talking about—it’s not safe,” Hunt emphasized in his interview with Fox News Digital. For him, the problem wasn’t an abstract statistic or a talking point; it was real and right outside his door.

The Bigger Picture: Trump’s Emergency Powers

So why is the National Guard even in Washington, D.C.? Since the capital isn’t a state, it falls under unique federal rules. Trump tapped into Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which gave him the authority to declare a public emergency and send in federal resources.

The move sparked immediate backlash from Democrats. Congressman Jamie Raskin, the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, even pushed a resolution aiming to block the president from keeping servicemembers in the district. Critics framed it as an overreach, but Trump defended it as a necessary step to restore order in what he described as a crime-ridden city.

“Just like I took care of the Border, where you had zero illegals crossing last month, compared to millions the year before, I’ll take care of our cherished Capital,” Trump declared in an August 11 White House fact sheet. “Before the tents, squalor, filth, and crime, it was the most beautiful Capital in the world. It will soon be that again.”

Hunt’s Frustration with Double Standards

Hunt didn’t just stop at criticizing local conditions; he pointed fingers at Democratic governors across the country. His argument was that the same people attacking Trump for using the Guard had no problem deploying their own troops for issues far less tied to immediate safety.

• Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called up the National Guard to enforce COVID-19 restrictions, yet violent crime in cities like Minneapolis surged.

• California Governor Gavin Newsom cleaned up parts of Los Angeles to impress visiting foreign dignitaries, but didn’t take the same steps for everyday Californians dealing with rising crime.

For Hunt, that kind of hypocrisy makes little sense. “If governors can use the Guard for their own agendas, why is it such a scandal when the president uses it to make the capital safer for citizens and visitors?” he asked.

Does It Actually Work?

The White House insists the plan is working, and they’ve got numbers to back it up. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt highlighted that since the Guard’s arrival, law enforcement has carried out more than 465 arrests. One of those arrests involved a known MS-13 gang member who was in the country illegally and already had drug and DWI convictions.

“Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the outstanding work of both federal and local law enforcement, dangerous gang members like the one picked up last night will not be allowed on the streets of our nation’s capital,” Leavitt said during a Tuesday press briefing.

That message was clear: the administration wanted residents to know their city was being actively secured, not just talked about.

How Residents Are Reacting

While political leaders argue, many Washingtonians are simply paying attention to how safe they feel on a daily basis. Some locals have noticed immediate changes.

James Laverty, a Capitol Hill staffer, told Fox News that the difference has been striking. “In certain areas, like Navy Yard and U Street, it feels much safer than it did just a week ago. This past weekend, there was a noticeable difference in the vibe late at night. The presence of the National Guard is the clear reason for this new sense of safety,” he explained.

For everyday residents, that’s the real bottom line. Politics aside, they just want to be able to walk home without worrying about crime.

Breaking Down the Debate

So, let’s unpack this whole situation:

• Supporters of Trump’s move argue that the capital was becoming too dangerous, and the deployment of the National Guard was necessary to re-establish order.

• Critics, mainly Democrats, frame it as government overreach, claiming Trump is using the military to flex political power rather than to protect citizens.

• Hunt’s angle is that critics are ignoring the lived reality of D.C. residents who face crime daily. His own experience, coupled with other incidents like Congressman Cuellar’s robbery, highlights how close the danger really is.

The Larger Conversation

Beyond this immediate clash, the debate opens a bigger conversation about how America should balance local governance, federal power, and public safety. Washington, D.C., is unique—it’s not a state but serves as the face of the country. If violent crime spikes there, it sends a message far beyond its borders.

That’s why Hunt’s words resonate with some people. He isn’t just raising alarms about policy; he’s sharing how national issues play out at a personal, street-level scale.

Key Takeaways

1. Crime is personal in D.C. – Congressman Hunt’s own apartment complex was broken into, underscoring how real the threat feels.

2. Trump used emergency powers – Because D.C. isn’t a state, Trump had authority to deploy the National Guard under the Home Rule Act.

3. Democrats push back – Critics argue the move is political theater, not genuine crime-fighting.

4. Double standards at play? – Hunt points out how Democratic governors have used the Guard for other purposes without similar backlash.

5. Visible results – Over 465 arrests and a noted improvement in safety, at least according to locals and the White House.

Final Thought

At the end of the day, Washington, D.C. is more than just a backdrop for political drama. It’s a city where families live, where workers commute, and where even members of Congress can fall victim to crime just like everyone else. Wesley Hunt’s perspective might lean heavily partisan, but his experiences highlight a universal concern: people just want to feel safe where they live.

The presence of the National Guard has stirred plenty of debate, but in neighborhoods like Navy Yard and U Street, residents are noticing something rare in recent times—peace of mind. Whether you view it as overreach or a long-overdue move, one thing’s for sure: crime in D.C. is no longer just a talking point. It’s front and center in the nation’s capital, and the fight over how to fix it is just beginning.