Americast Americanswers…on 5 Live! Why is Donald Trump deploying the National Guard to Washington DC?
Aug 11, 2025
Donald Trump's deployment of the National Guard in Washington D.C. stirs controversy, raising questions about local and international implications. The hosts discuss security measures during political visits, particularly J.D. Vance's holidays in the Cotswolds. They also tackle the contentious issue of redistricting in the U.S. and media biases towards political figures. Additionally, they explore Trump's tariffs and how they interconnect with civil unrest concerns, all while emphasizing the importance of narrative control in today's political landscape.
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Federal Takeover Of D.C. Policing
- Donald Trump invoked federal authority to place D.C. police under federal control and deploy the National Guard.
- Anthony Zurcher warns this is a rare presidential step meant for extreme unrest and shifts political responsibility onto the president.
Deployment Could Spark Protests
- Deploying soldiers and federal police can provoke demonstrations and counter-demonstrations on the streets.
- Anthony Zurcher suggests Trump may accept or even seek that unrest as a political tool.
Putin May Be Stringing Trump Along
- Vladimir Putin gains leverage by scheduling high‑profile meetings while delaying concrete concessions.
- Anthony Zurcher argues Putin is stretching talks and avoiding the secondary sanctions deadline to his advantage.