Trump Deploys Military Personnel to Washington D.C. to Combat Crime, Following Hochul's Lead in New York City

New York City has been hosting approximately 750 National Guard soldiers in its subway system since March 2024, under the instruction of Democratic Governor Kathy Hochul. This deployment, which has been met with both support and criticism, marks a significant change in the city's approach to safety within the transit system.

Since March 2024, the National Guard has completed approximately 19,000 "missions" in the subway system. Each separate location each day counts as a mission, indicating a consistent presence of the Guard throughout the city's stations. The soldiers, in full uniform, are tasked with assisting officers who randomly check bags at certain subway stations. Riders are required to comply if they want to enter the station.

The city's hosting of the National Guard soldiers is part of a $45 million increase in the current state budget for a post-9/11 military task force known as Empire Shield. Hochul's budget division estimated the deployment would cost about $17 million a year. The total number of soldiers remains the same as it was a year ago, according to the National Guard.

The deployment of the National Guard members, along with police officers, was intended to deter would-be criminals in the transit system. However, advocates for subway riders have accused Hochul of unnecessarily militarizing the transit system and fueling perceptions that it's unsafe. Major subway crimes have continued to decline in recent months, raising questions about the necessity of the deployment.

President Donald Trump invoked his federal authority and deployed the Guard to address crime in Washington, D.C., a move that Hochul called "overkill for a show of force." Trump's deployment is said to be imposing his will on a city and taking control of its police force over the objection of its mayor.

Gov. Hochul's initial decision to call in the Guard drew criticism from Republicans. Trump's administration has claimed that the subway system is unsafe, a claim that has been met with scepticism by many. Hochul temporarily added another 250 soldiers to the deployment in December, further increasing the presence of the National Guard in the city's subway system.

The New York National Guard is working in consultation with the NYPD and MTA to ensure the safety and security of the city's subway system. The deployment of NYPD officers on each subway train during overnight hours has been partially funded by the state. The costs associated with the National Guard deployment are baked into the Empire Shield budget.

As the deployment continues, the impact on the city's subway system and the public's perception of safety remains a topic of ongoing discussion. The balance between security and the perception of militarization is a delicate one, and the ongoing deployment of the National Guard in New York City's subway system is a testament to this delicate balance.