1:07White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Vice President JD Vance welcomed National Guard personnel at Union Station in D.C. on Aug. 20, 2025. Al Drago/Reuters
While President Donald Trump’s reinforcement of National Guard forces in Washington marched into Wednesday, demonstrators heckled Vice President JD Vance during a staged appearance alongside stationed guardsmen.
Crowds booed Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller when they reached Union Station, a few blocks from the Capitol, to treat the troops to lunch at a Shake Shack.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance greet National Guard members at Union Station, Washington, Aug. 20, 2025.Al Drago/AP
“A lot has changed in just one week,” Vance told the service members, alluding to the launch of the federal crackdown on D.C. crime. “You’re performing exceptionally. I’m honored, and we thank you,” he added. “We’ll drop in, shake some hands, and simply say hello.”
“Free D.C.,” the demonstrators yelled as the trio arrived and later inside the restaurant, drowning out most remarks the officials attempted to share with journalists.
Protesters chant while Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller meet National Guard troops at Washington’s Union Station on August 20, 2025.Al Drago/Reuters
Vance and Miller shrugged off the ridicule, labeling demonstrators as “unhinged” and “Marxists.”
Vice President JD Vance heads toward National Guard troops at Union Station, Aug. 2025, Washington. Alexander Drago/Pool via AP
“They seem to despise the notion that Americans can enjoy safe neighborhoods,” Vance remarked.
Asked why guardsmen were posted at Union Station rather than districts with higher reported crime, the vice president noted the terminal is overrun by the homeless and visitors feel unsafe.
“This place ought to stand as a tribute to American greatness,” he stated.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Vice President JD Vance speak with National Guard members during a stop at Union Station, August 20, 2025 in Washington. Al Drago-Pool/Getty Images
Vance added he suspects official crime metrics don’t capture the full extent of lawlessness in the nation’s capital.
After enduring the boos, Vance sat with Fox News Wednesday night to review the visit and rebut critics accusing the surprise stop of being a publicity stunt.
“You have numerous guardsmen and city officers who’ve already endured taunts from the crowd, so why not have the vice president and some senior White House staff show up in solidarity?”
At a Wednesday morning back-to-school event, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser asserted the district does not require federal agents to govern its streets.
“Violence has dropped in our city—it has plummeted over the past two years thanks to immense effort and an overhaul of our public-safety ecosystem, including legislative changes,” Bowser said. “Those realities may contradict certain narratives, but they are the realities.”
The mayor further insisted the National Guard is not meant for ordinary “law-enforcement” missions: “They should serve on targeted, nation-benefiting assignments only,” she said.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks as Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith listens during a press briefing, Washington, Aug. 20, 2025.Rod Lamkey/AP
When questioned on how her rapport with President Trump has shifted this year, Bowser responded that her focus is solely to “represent the district.”
Standing beside Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, Bowser repeatedly let the chief field questions about the city’s crime statistics.
According to Smith, the department has partnered smoothly with federal agencies and the collaboration has proven helpful to its officers: “From feedback on the street, patrol officers and residents alike find their presence beneficial,” she reported.
ABC News contributor Arthur Jones II assisted in compiling this report.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
