WASHINGTON, D.C. – D.C. Councilman Zachary Parker (D) is criticizing the federal government’s handling of public safety in the nation’s capital, arguing that the surge of federal officers patrolling city streets is doing more harm than good.
Parker Rejects Crime Characterization
During an interview on CNN’s Situation Room Wednesday, Parker denounced recent portrayals of Washington, D.C. as unsafe or deteriorating.
“It’s outrageous,” Parker said. “Residents are demanding that we push back on what’s happening in this city, as well as the characterization that D.C. is some slum and dangerous.”
The councilman emphasized that while D.C. faces challenges like any other major city, the narrative being pushed at the national level misrepresents the community and undermines local efforts to address crime.
Criticism of Federal Deployment
Parker also took aim at the federal government’s decision to flood the city with officers and National Guard members. He called the move a “political stunt” that wastes millions of dollars while failing to improve safety.
“When you look at the numbers, the federal government is producing worse outcomes than our Metropolitan Police Department would on an average night,” Parker said. “It just doesn’t track with the facts.”
Officers Focused on Tourist Areas
CNN host Wolf Blitzer noted that many of the federal officers and Guardsmen appear to be stationed in tourist-heavy areas such as the National Mall and Union Station, rather than neighborhoods struggling with gun violence.
Parker agreed, saying that the federal presence has been concentrated on federal properties and near Metro stations, not in communities most affected by crime.
“Our National Guardsmen are heroes,” Parker clarified. “They signed up to serve in moments of crisis and to assist with logistics, not to police and patrol the nation’s capital. That said, we are seeing a surge of federal officers that are harassing individuals in all quadrants of our city, that are posing real risk to Washingtonians.”
Call for National Support
The councilman urged Americans across the country to recognize what he views as an overreach and to stand in solidarity with D.C. residents.
“It’s important for Americans, wherever you live, to stand with us in this moment,” Parker said.
He reiterated that the city’s Metropolitan Police Department is better positioned to handle day-to-day public safety, adding that local control—not federal intervention—is what ensures trust and accountability.
Ongoing Debate
The remarks come amid heightened tensions over the role of federal law enforcement in local jurisdictions. Supporters of the federal presence argue it bolsters security, while critics like Parker contend it erodes civil liberties and creates unnecessary confrontation with residents.
For now, federal officers remain visible across D.C.’s high-traffic areas, but questions continue about their long-term impact on safety—and whether their presence reflects politics more than policy.
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