Two National Guard troops are fighting for their lives after being shot in a shocking incident near the White House on Wednesday afternoon, sparking widespread condemnation and raising serious questions about the militarisation of Washington DC.
Chaotic Scene in Farragut Square
The normally peaceful Farragut Square, typically filled with office workers enjoying lunch breaks and coffee meetings, was transformed into a major crime scene following the shooting outside Farragut North metro station. The area was immediately swarmed by fellow Guard members, police officers, and heavily armed Secret Service personnel who cordoned off surrounding streets within minutes of the incident.
From overlooking offices, witnesses described a scene of frenetic activity as law enforcement scoured the streets while a helicopter circled overhead. Workers in adjacent buildings were prevented from using main entrances and directed to use rear exits instead, as the square became illuminated by flashing emergency vehicle lights.
Local Outrage Over Military Presence
Among the first to arrive at the scene was Gary Goodweather, a Democratic mayoral candidate and former US army captain who served in the National Guard. He expressed deep concern about the Trump administration's decision to deploy federal forces on Washington's streets.
"We knew that Trump was going to do this to the city," Goodweather stated. "The national guard should not have been in our city – period – for law enforcement." When questioned about whether the administration bore moral responsibility for the shooting, he responded affirmatively after a thoughtful pause.
Jesse Lovell, a 51-year-old editor and consultant from Washington's north-west district, echoed concerns about what he termed "the occupation" of the capital by federal troops. While careful not to assign direct blame for the shooting, Lovell noted significant resident anger about prolonged military presence in the city.
Official Response and Escalating Tensions
FBI Director Kash Patel addressed journalists near the shooting location, delivering a firm law and order message while praising the injured Guard members as "heroes." He vowed that authorities would "run down every single lead, every piece of evidence" to find the perpetrator.
Despite calls from local figures like Goodweather to reduce military presence, the Trump administration has responded by ordering 500 additional National Guard troops to the city through Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. This decision has heightened concerns among residents who fear further escalation could inflame tensions.
The incident occurs against the backdrop of ongoing debates about crime levels in the capital, with many locals disputing official characterisations of a crime emergency requiring military intervention. The shooting has intensified scrutiny of the administration's policing strategies and their impact on community safety.
