Thousands Protest Trump Federal Policing D.C. Crackdown

Thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., in early September 2025 to oppose President Donald Trump’s deployment of federal troops and law enforcement in the city, marking the largest such demonstration since the federal intervention began. The “We Are All D.C.” march drew at least 10,000 participants who marched from Meridian Hill Park to Freedom Plaza, voicing concerns about the militarized presence, civil liberties, and the lack of home rule and congressional representation for the district. Protesters and local officials have criticized the Trump administration’s justification for the intervention, citing lower violent crime rates compared to Trump’s first term and questioning the need for federal occupation. The federal presence has sparked fears of authoritarianism and an affront to democracy, with many residents sharing stories of violence tied to immigration enforcement and federal raids. Meanwhile, broader discontent with Trump’s administration is growing nationwide, driven by economic struggles, unpopular immigration policies, and his aggressive rhetoric including threats of using military force in U.S. cities. This backlash is contributing to a surge in progressive political activism and legal pushback in the courts against Trump’s policies, reflecting a deepening polarization and resistance to his approach both locally in D.C. and nationally.