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Republican Congressman Faces Backlash After Crediting Trump for DC Safety Following National Guard Shooting
Wisconsin Representative Derrick Van Orden has drawn sharp criticism after using a shooting incident involving National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. to praise former President Donald Trump’s security policies, despite the attack occurring in broad daylight.
The controversy erupted after two National Guardsmen were critically injured in a shooting near Farragut Square on Wednesday. The suspected gunman was taken into custody, according to officials. Shortly after the incident, Van Orden appeared on Fox News, where he made comments that many viewers and social media users found tone-deaf and politically opportunistic.
“Actually, now that the National Guard is there, they can visit them safely and securely,” Van Orden said during the interview. “You can walk around Washington, D.C. at night now, and it’s solely because of Donald Trump’s decision to send the National Guard… and he should be commended for that.”
The congressman’s remarks referenced Trump’s August decision to deploy thousands of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., a move the former president justified by claiming the capital had been overrun by criminals—despite crime statistics showing a 30-year low in violent crime. Following the deployment, troops cleared homeless encampments and arrested suspected illegal immigrants.
Trump celebrated the operation on his Truth Social platform, writing: “Washington, D.C. IS A SAFE ZONE IN JUST A MATTER OF WEEKS. Who’s Next???” The former president has since indicated he plans to expand similar deployments to other Democrat-led cities including Chicago, Portland, and Los Angeles.
During the Fox News segment, Van Orden went further by suggesting that “inflammatory rhetoric by the left” may have contributed to the shooting incident. “Let us ask ourselves, how did we get here? How are we in this spot?” the congressman questioned. He referenced unnamed members of Congress who allegedly called the National Guard deployment “an unlawful order.”
“We have people on CNN saying that putting National Guards people on the street is equivalent to Nazi Germany,” Van Orden continued. “This inflammatory rhetoric by the left has to stop. Now, did this drive the shooter? We don’t know the answer to that question. But did it prevent it from doing it? Hell no. So, my Democrat colleagues need to understand that their words have consequences.”
The congressman’s comments quickly sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing him of using the shooting to advance partisan talking points. “They pull them on fast to spread their propaganda, don’t they?” wrote one user. Another pointed out the irony in Van Orden’s position: “Broad daylight shooting happens… ‘we should thank the president for making DC safe.'”
Several Washington, D.C. residents disputed Van Orden’s characterization of their city. One person commented that their sister lives in the capital and “we’ve never been afraid to walk around in the evenings. Ever.” Others highlighted the contradiction in Van Orden’s safety claims, with one user noting, “Apparently, you can’t even walk around DC safely in the daytime with a National Guard uniform now.”
The shooting incident has renewed debates about the militarization of American cities and the effectiveness of deploying National Guard troops for domestic security operations. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the motive behind the attack, while the condition of the injured guardsmen remains critical.
Meanwhile, political observers suggest Van Orden’s comments represent a broader strategy among Trump allies to portray the deployment of military personnel in U.S. cities as successful, regardless of actual safety outcomes—a narrative that appears increasingly difficult to maintain in light of Wednesday’s brazen attack.
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8 Comments
This is a complex issue that deserves a thoughtful, bipartisan approach. I hope our elected officials can put aside political differences and work together to find sustainable solutions that improve public safety for all.
Rep. Van Orden’s comments seem to oversimplify a nuanced situation. Effective security requires a balanced, multi-faceted approach, not political grandstanding. I hope the investigation reveals the full context and that all sides approach this thoughtfully.
I’m curious to learn more about the specific details and context surrounding this incident. It’s important to avoid rushing to judgment and instead seek a balanced, fact-based understanding of what occurred.
This is a concerning incident. While the security situation in DC is complex, it’s important to avoid politicizing tragic events and instead focus on addressing the root causes of violence. A measured, fact-based approach is needed to improve public safety.
The safety of our citizens should be the top priority, regardless of political affiliation. While the National Guard plays a role, we must also examine broader societal issues that contribute to violence. A nonpartisan, collaborative effort is needed to find lasting solutions.
As a constituent, I’m concerned about the divisive rhetoric following this incident. My hope is that our elected leaders can set aside partisan differences and work together to improve public safety in a responsible, sustainable manner.
While security is important, we must also consider the root causes of violence and address them holistically. Simplistic solutions that ignore the deeper societal issues are unlikely to be effective in the long run.
It’s understandable that emotions are running high, but I caution against rushing to assign blame or credit without a full understanding of the facts. A measured, fact-based approach is needed to address this complex issue and prevent future incidents.