The Brian Lehrer Show Monday Morning Politics: Trump's Ceasefire Reversal, The D.C. Police Takeover and More
Aug 18, 2025
Susan Page, USA Today Washington Bureau Chief and author, unpacks the latest political news, starting with the fallout from Trump's summit with Putin and its implications for national security. She dives into the deployment of the National Guard in D.C., discussing public safety perceptions versus crime statistics. The conversation also explores the deeper roots of crime linked to political rhetoric and economic conditions, and the alarming rise of authoritarianism in the U.S., all while navigating the complexities of the ongoing Ukraine conflict.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Unclear Purpose Behind Guard Deployment
- Trump is deploying National Guard troops from multiple states to Washington D.C. as a visible answer to crime concerns.
- Susan Page and Brian Lehrer note the deployment's purpose and targets remain unclear and politically charged.
Personal Safety Versus Citywide Reality
- Susan Page shares she feels safe in her central D.C. neighborhood and hasn't been a crime victim in decades.
- She uses a childhood burglary anecdote to illustrate personal experience differs from high-crime areas.
Troops Stationed In Tourist Areas Not Hotspots
- Susan Page reports Guard troops are being stationed at high-profile federal sites like the Mall and Union Station.
- She emphasizes these are not the neighborhoods with the highest violent crime rates in D.C.
