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WASHINGTON – Matthew Cohen, an advisory neighborhood commissioner in Washington’s Northwest, couldn’t believe the National Guard was offering to help with a neighborhood clean-up. “To have the National Guard come to our neighborhood to help pick up litter is absurd,” he said.
But despite his skepticism, Cohen recognized the potential benefit. So long as thousands of soldiers remained on duty due to President Donald Trump’s orders, Cohen wondered if there was any harm in accepting their offer for local beautification projects.
The DC National Guard now asks city leaders about these projects, coming amid protests against Trump’s takeover under the banner “Free DC.” The Guard acknowledges its presence has caused alarm and indignation among residents.
Troops that deployed to Washington in August were meant to address what Trump called a crime emergency. Since then, soldiers have been spotted in parks carrying out tasks typically assigned to gardeners – shoveling mulch, blowing leaves, and scooping up trash.
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In a letter sent to local leaders on September 8, Marcus Hunt, the director of the DC National Guard, asked for “help in identifying projects or initiatives where guardsmen can pitch in on neighborhood beautification efforts.” The response had been positive, according to Hunt.
However, some local leaders felt torn. While many opposed Trump’s deployment, they saw an opportunity to recruit military help with neglected community projects. Cohen from a neighborhood near American University said it would be acceptable for the National Guard to clean graffiti or improve federal parks, even if he thought it was an unwise use of taxpayer dollars.
Others were reluctant. Tom Donohue, an advisory neighborhood commissioner in southeastern Anacostia, said, “Our DC National Guard should return back to their families and full-time jobs.” He added, “I’d rather them do something required than stand around and do nothing.”
The DC National Guard’s own assessment of social media discussions about the deployment found that relationships with community members had been strained. Discussions mentioned fatigue, confusion, demoralization, unclear mission, and a wedge between citizens and the military.
One DC National Guard member told USA TODAY that frustration was growing among their ranks. Despite seeing the deployment as unnecessary, they were compelled by lawful orders to stay the course.
For some leaders, accepting help seemed like a practical solution. John Adams from Ward 7 welcomed the support for beautification projects. In Ward 8, troops had already been assigned to help with food distribution at a soup kitchen.
The decision on whether to accept the National Guard’s offer was complicated by community opinions and personal relationships. For some, helping hands were better than none, even if they came from soldiers.
In conclusion, while the DC National Guard sought to engage in neighborhood beautification efforts, its presence remained a contentious issue amid growing anger among residents.
