Since early August, National Guard troops have been deployed to Washington D.C. among other major cities by order of the Trump administration. Reacting to what Trump brands as a “public safety emergency” is, at its core, a racist, classist, and authoritarian effort to silence dissent and consolidate federal control over the city. [1] With the dismantling of homeless encampments, the deployment of ICE agents, the National Guard, and intensified surveillance infrastructure, Washingtonians are now operating under extreme surveillance and conditions reflecting that of a military regime [2]. D.C. residents’ right to bodily autonomy, community safety, and political expression is incompatible with the presence of federal surveillance, police occupation, and unchecked executive power.

This expansion of police, federal presence, and executive control is not about public safety. It is a calculated tactic by the Trump administration to strip rights from D.C. residents and activists, sowing fear that Washington D.C. is dangerous, despite falling crime rates locally and nationally. [3] Let’s be clear: Trump’s takeover of D.C. isn’t about crime – it’s about control.

Since the National Guard has been deployed in the District, in fact, growing resentment towards their presence has unfortunately fueled more violence. On November 26, two National Guard members were shot near downtown D.C., leaving one in critical condition and the other deceased. [4, 5] This was a tragic, isolated attack allegedly by an Afghan national who previously worked alongside US government entities during the war, and yet to no surprise, the Trump Administration has since heightened National Guard deployment in the District and spewed a racist agenda against Afghan and Muslim communities – entirely halting asylum decisions for immigrants from Afghanistan and any “third-world countries.” [6] The National Guard being stationed in cities for no real purpose creates an environment primed for political violence under the façade of security, evident by the fact that 61% of residents say they feel less safe by military presence in the city. [7]

D.C. operates under a unique political structure due to the D.C. Home Rule Law, which gives the District political authority, but leaves ultimate policy discretion up to the federal government. This means that all laws passed by the D.C. Council are subject to Congressional review, and sometimes, presidential action. A lack of D.C. Statehood leaves the District’s laws about abortion, policing, marijuana decriminalization and legalization, and other policies at risk of federal action [8]. Overreach of presidential action in D.C. opens opportunities for repression that extends beyond the executive branch. [9] For example, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), chair of the Pro-Life Caucus, has expressed disapproval of the District’s Home Rule Law and has previously tried to block the city law in D.C. that legalizes marijuana. [6] Harris is a frequent critic of D.C.’s political decisions and has stated that congress can and should exercise “ultimate authority” over the District if necessary. [10] As organizers and activists, we must remember that the reproductive justice movement is inextricably connected to other social justice movements, particularly immigrant justice and police abolition. At this critical moment, organizing collectively is vital.

When operating in a militarized environment, assessing your personal risk and security is paramount. The Trump administration has made clear that immigrant communities are a primary target of this crackdown. [11]

Ask yourself what the personal and professional risks you are willing to take as you could be surveilled, arrested, or doxed, which involves a bad actor intentionally and maliciously leaking your personal information online. Could your immigration status, employment, school enrollment, future opportunities, or family/loved ones be affected? Some may be less comfortable to accept these risks than others, and that’s OK.

With all those risks considered, how can you help or organize in this climate? No matter how much you’re willing to risk, whether it’s through online activism, an in-person protest, or otherwise, activists in militarized spaces should take their security seriously.

Some basic digital security protocols and resources:

• Use a reliable VPN (e.g., Mullvad, ProtonVPN, the DuckDuckGo Browser) when browsing the internet to hide your location data
• Switch from text to end-to-end encrypted messaging apps that do not store messages on the app servers, such as Signal
• Remove identifiable images and personal information from public social media profiles
• Review additional tools and recommendations from the Digital Defense Fund (DDF) and the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to safeguard your data

If you or your community members face local police or federal law enforcement (DEA, ICE, etc.) encounters, digital security can only provide so much proactive protection. Educate yourself and your neighbors on their rights at home and in public spaces, as outlined on the ACLU of D.C. website [8].

D.C. is home to an expansive network of grassroots organizations, mutual aid collectives, and advocacy groups. Now more than ever, we must invest in coalition-building. If you’re a student uncertain how to proceed with campus activism amid federal crackdowns, collaborate with others doing similar work. If you’re a reproductive health worker looking for solidarity, reach out to aligned organizations, virtually or in person.

If you’re looking for a place to start, connect with the following D.C.-based organizations and initiatives:

• Empower DC: Organizers in DC advancing political power among low-income residents in DC for racial, economic, and environmental justice.
• Free DC: Direct action organizers campaigning to protect DC Home Rule and to build power in the District.
• DC Peace Team: Community engagement organization dedicated to nonviolent action and education advocating for civilian protection in the District.
• DC Abortion Fund: Local abortion fund that provides financial assistance to DMV residents and those travelling to DC for abortion care.
• Harriet’s Wildest Dreams: Community defense hub and abolitionist group organizing for the liberation of Black people in DC and beyond.
• EC4DC: Mutual aid group providing free emergency contraception and educational resources to DMV residents.
• DC Migrant Mutual Aid: Mutual aid group made up of community organizations and residents to support and protect migrants arriving in DC.
• ACLU of DC: DC Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, staffed with litigators and advocates working on Know Your Rights campaigns and legal protection in the District.

In 2023, I co-founded the D.C. Student Repro Coalition to create space for student organizers in the DMV region to co-conspire and collaborate. Since its formation, we’ve supported each other’s campaigns, shared resources, and built a resilient network that enables us to move collectively and with care. Under an increasingly repressive political landscape, I’ve found there is strength in numbers – not only for the purposes of collective organizing, but for creating lasting support systems.

Reproductive justice cannot exist under threat of militarized occupation. Increased police and military presence create both more entry points to abortion criminalization and blatant attacks on our basic freedoms. In this moment, our work requires thoughtfulness and coordination. We must continue to organize, not just in defiance of occupation, but with the vision of liberation that can only be achieved through continuous knowledge sharing. We organize, we keep us safe, and we will fight to keep D.C. safe for all.

Sources:

1. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cm2110me5g4o
2. https://www.cnn.com/2025/09/04/politics/national-guardsmen-deployed-to-dc-balance
3. https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/08/07/trump-federal-crackdown-dc-crime-rate-falling
4. https://www.opb.org/article/2025/10/02/more-uniformed-officers-can-deter-crime-but-there-are-costs-to-weigh/
5. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/26/national-guard-soldiers-shot-washington-dc
6. https://www.thebulwark.com/p/for-trump-even-the-national-guard-shooting-dc-immigration-deportation-somalia-afghanistan
7. https://www.vera.org/news/sending-in-the-national-guard-wont-make-our-cities-safer
8. https://statecourtreport.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/washington-dc-needs-stronger-home-rule
9. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/president-trumps-recent-actions-in-washington-d-c-are-an-abuse-of-power-and-threaten-public-safety-for-all/
10. https://prospect.org/health/2024-12-26-abortion-care-uncertain-future-washington-dc/
11. https://www.politico.com/news/2025/09/04/trumps-blue-city-law-and-order-crackdowns-are-also-about-immigration-00544545
12. https://www.acludc.org/know-your-rights/police-immigration-or-fbi-stop