Lawsuits

Think Tank Defends National Guard Report Amid Trump Lawsuit Threat

Are National Guard deployments a costly failure or proof that a tough approach stops crime?

Published AUG 13

Think Tank Defends National Guard Report Amid Trump Lawsuit Threat

Story

Above: Members of the U.S. National Guard patrol near the Washington Monument on the National Mall on Aug. 6. Image credit: Kevin Carter/Getty Images

The Spin

Left narrative

National Guard troop deployments cost taxpayers over $1.7 billion and show zero measurable effect. Cities like Los Angeles and Washington were already seeing historic crime drops before troops showed up. Threatening lawsuits against researchers instead of releasing better data proves this crackdown was about power, not public safety.

The Daily Beast Americanprogress

Right narrative

Homicides in Washington have dropped nearly 50% since National Guard troops arrived, proving the deployments work exactly as intended. Meanwhile, groups on the left keep pushing to abolish police and federal prisons, showing which side actually wants safer streets. Voters can plainly see one approach cuts crime while the other protects criminals.

America First Legal on X

Gunther Eagleman on X