I’m sure you’ve been hearing all week about President Donald Trump’s federalization of law enforcement in Washington, DC. The effort to supposedly crack down on crime came despite reports from the Justice Department and the DC Metropolitan Police, that violent crime rates in the nation’s capital are down.
Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images
We wrote about Trump’s press conference in which he announced his administration’s plan. “I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor. And worse. This is Liberation Day in DC, and we’re gonna take our capital back,” he said. 
CNBC / Via youtube.com
“Under the authorities vested in me as the president of the United States, I’m officially invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act — you know what that is — and placing the DC Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control,” he went on. 
CNBC / Via youtube.com
“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people. And we’re not gonna let it happen anymore. We’re not gonna take it,” Trump said. 
CNBC / Via youtube.com
The police and National Guard hit the streets almost immediately. The BuzzFeed Community did not hold back in the comments section of our reporting, and people had some pretty strong feelings about all of this. Here’s what some folks had to say:
1. “Just living life is not supposed to be this scary and anxiety-ridden, but here we are, not having a clue as to what tomorrow will look like in this country. The healthcare system is still broken. Gas prices are higher. Food continues to grow more expensive. At least the harmful and debilitating White House Rose Garden has been defeated. I’m so grateful that such a threat has been taken care of. I can sleep well again.” 
Bloomberg / Getty Images —daisydee
2. “Congressmen and Senators in both parties need to grow a backbone and impeach this man before we lose our democracy.” —youngalligator302
3. “The problem is, people here don’t know how to protest. Waving a bunch of signs around got us where exactly? Go take a look at how the French do it. Sanitation workers collectively refused to pick up trash. Farmers dumped loads of manure on the Parliament steps. They shut down roads, and a firefighter was fist-fighting a cop in the street. Polite marches do nothing. They will continue to brush us off unless we start causing consistent inconveniences en masse. Shut down roads. Barricade buildings. It’s the only way.” 
Amaury Cornu / Getty Images —luxahoy
4. “If we want to stop horrific crime in DC, the very first place to assume control of is the White House!! It’s a rats nest of thieves and evil criminals!!!” —skimsword574
5. “I didn’t spend 20 years protecting this country, willing to give my life for our freedom, for a political party to take away it and destroy our democracy. I gave an oath to protect the Constitution of this country. What about the men and women who gave their lives so we could sit by and let this happen? Woe unto you, America, it’s time to make our voices heard.” 
Suspended Image / Getty Images —hiddenmeat147
6. “I think Trump is so dangerous! He has a very sick and evil mind. He wants only white, rich men in this country. And the Supreme Court is doing nothing about it and giving him free rein. We all must speak up.” —stylishgoose357
7. “Sounds like martial law at best, and a full-on government coup by Republicans at worst. 🚩🚩🚩🚩” —happydeer705
8. “You people want criminals running around in your streets. A president wants to help, and you think he’s crazy.” 
Andrew Harnik / Getty Images —cornymoon92
9. “I believe the next thing he’s going to do is get his Republican MAGA forces to repeal the term limits of the president. Then we’re really screwed!!!!” —trendypuppy43
10. “We are definitely screwed. And nobody in Congress is helping to stop this from happening. Our democracy is at stake. If something doesn’t happen soon, we will no longer have a country to call our own. I’ve written to my congresspeople multiple times, and I get back nice letters, saying they’re doing this, that, and the other, but nothing changes. It may be time for another revolution in our country. We can’t let this administration turn this country into an authoritarian state instead of a democratic one.” 
K_Xanthe / Via reddit.com —silkyrockstar6571
11. “It is terrifying! We don’t know what to do. It’s like our hands are tied. Everything is happening so fast, and Congress is doing nothing to stop this. What about the police? The National Guard? Why aren’t they saying NO!? Terrifying.” —spiritedsorcerer275
12. “He has descended into full-on diaper temper tantrum mode, only 3 years left to endure. I am scared for us.” —squadmarbles
13. “A convicted criminal with 34 felonies telling us how bad our country is.” 
Handout / Getty Images —awkwardclown106
14. “Just think of all the extra time you will have now that you’re not going to have to vote!” —peacefulgiant255
15. “I just want to hear thoughts on what we’re supposed to be doing to stop this? Protests, calling our representatives, attending town halls… nothing looks to be working, and it’s still months away from the midterms.” —crispydolphin165
16. “It’s beyond time to take back control of America. This should have happened years ago and needs to be done in Chicago, Baltimore, and every city across this great country, so people can finally be safe to just walk in their neighborhoods.” 
Jim Watson / Getty Images —emoarcher938
17. “I am 73 years old. I grew up knowing that this was the greatest country in the world. It breaks my heart to see what Mr. Trump and his cronies are doing. Our elected officials need to grow some balls and follow the Constitution. No one should bow down to the tyrant. It is a sad day in America for this to be happening. Why are so many people OK with this?” —furrybubble967
18. “This is what 2/3 of this country wanted by either voting for a felon or not at all. We, as a country, deserve it.” —poetichouse14
19. “Disgusting, really, absolutely disgusting. As a proud Canadian, and having many American friends, as well as having travelled frequently to the USA, I don’t really understand how the American public can really live and deal with Trump’s idiocracy. It’s absurd, and I will never travel to the States or purchase any US products until this maniac is eradicated… like squishing a bug!!” 
Aerialperspective Images / Getty Images —sleepingtree764
20. “Our cities have become shitholes literally during the Biden and Obama years. It’s about time we have a President with a backbone who is capable of taking our cities back. Making them great as they once were. And safe. High time. Long overdue. I hope it’s not too late.” —lazydolphin822
21. “Is this what he was elected to do? Take over cities? Impose martial law? What happened to stopping wars or having no more wars? Seems like he’s creating a war right here in the USA! Every soldier who fought and died for this country must be rolling over in their graves right now. The abuse of power, the disregard for law, the Constitution, and the disdain he shows towards the American people is appalling. We can do something!!! Let your voice be heard, vote in every election, protest, and write politicians in your area. Get behind those who are fighting against this tyranny! We the people have to stop this!” —mushyhawk59
22. “He is testing the waters to then do this in all major cities…” 
Kayla Bartkowski / Getty Images —whatever19
23. “If the Democrats can take the House and the Senate in the midterm elections, then Congress will be in a position to put a stop to Trump’s Blitzkrieg against democracy.” —sillylamp461
“This is assuming that there are elections. And even if there are, the plan is to gerrymander the fuck out of election districts so Democrats can’t win. The redistricting going on in Texas is unconstitutional, but it’s still happening!”
24. “I’m also terrified and have no idea what I personally should or could do about him, especially if his actions eliminate free and fair elections.” 
Evgeniyshkolenko / Getty Images —marvelouswizard168
25. “Everything is looking more like Russia each day that passes. I’m starting to doubt we will have a free and fair midterm election. Between this strongman show of force and the way they want to rig the voting districts, this is a taste of how dictators hold on to power.” “Note: I’ve been living in Maryland for a long time and have been protesting in DC for years at this point. I have never felt scared or threatened in DC, but now that they’ve taken away cash bail, I’m scared to protest in DC. Seems like a great excuse to be able to arrest protestors. DC is not LA. Things are going to get ugly.”
26. And finally, “I am so fucking glad I’m not an American right now.” —sleepingsunflower224
What’s your take? Sound off in the comments. Note: Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.
