The deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., affects all Americans, even Mainers. Washington is our seat of government — and like our nation, it is meant to be governed by citizens and their laws, not the unilateral actions of one disgruntled individual.

The deployment disrespects police departments nationwide. Is the National Guard better equipped than local police to enforce the law? Are they trained to deescalate, resolve conflicts and use minimal force in maintaining the peace? Can they detect crimes and meticulously collect evidence needed for prosecution?

The action is also uncalled for. The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington reports that, in 2024, violent crime was the lowest it has been in 30 years.

So why pick on the nation’s capital? Is it because district citizens voted 92.5% for the president’s opponent in 2024? Is it a convenient distraction from the administration’s failure to release the Epstein files? Or is it because the district is the weakest link? Washington, D.C., has no voting representation in Congress and therefore little bargaining power.

There are 535 members of Congress who can vote, and four of them represent Maine. We should insist that they respect local government and local police: that they demand a better use of taxpayer dollars than having the National Guard police our cities and towns. We should remind them that, like our nation, Washington, D.C., belongs not to one man, or one political party, but to all of us.

Carol Gardner
Alna