Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller encountered a barrage of protests on Wednesday as they handed out hamburgers to National Guard members at Union Station in Washington, D.C. The officials were there to express gratitude to the troops, deployed following President Donald Trump's order for a federal crackdown on crime in the capital. However, their attempt at a goodwill gesture quickly turned controversial.
The scene unfolded at the Shake Shack located in the historic Amtrak hub, as protestors gathered with signs chanting slogans such as "Free D.C." and "Free Palestine." The officials, attempting to serve food to the service members, were greeted with profanities and confrontational taunts captured in video footage from the scene. One individual directed a derogatory comment towards Hegseth, while another told Vance to "go back to Ohio."
This incident came in the wake of Trump's announcement on August 11, deploying the National Guard and federalizing D.C.’s police force in response to the city's high crime rates. The administration claims the crackdown targets violent crime, drug activity, and disorder, leading to over 550 arrests since the deployment began.
While distributing burgers, Vance directly addressed the troops, acknowledging the imbalance of their sacrifice compared to the modest offering of food, yet emphasizing appreciation for their service. However, the accompanying chants from protesters provided a stark backdrop to the interaction. Miller, in his response to the demonstrators, labeled them "stupid white hippies" and suggested they were too old to be taken seriously.
The officials' visit was not without its attempts to engage with the press, even as the protests continued. Vance touted the effectiveness of the deployment, claiming that the presence of the guard had significantly improved safety in Union Station, making it a family-friendly environment once more. He further challenged the idea that most D.C. residents were against the deployment, questioning the accuracy of a poll showing widespread opposition.
The poll in question, released by the Washington Post-Schar School on the same day, found that a substantial majority of District residents were against the federalization of the police and the National Guard's involvement. Yet Vance reframed the protesters' cries of "Free D.C." as a call for liberation from crime and insecurity.
The incident at Union Station highlights the tension between the Trump administration's law and order policies and the vocal opposition from certain segments of the community. While officials argue that their measures have brought safety and order, the strong reaction from protesters indicates a deeply divided public opinion on the matter.
