AFL-CIO Responds to Trump Administration’s Federal Escalation in D.C.

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler and AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Fred Redmond issued the following statement on the Trump administration’s takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployment of the National Guard in the District of Columbia:  

The Trump administration’s attempted federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department and the deployment of the National Guard in the streets of Washington, D.C., is a deeply troubling escalation. It directly threatens the fundamental freedoms and livelihoods of working people, including more than 150,000 local union members in D.C.

These actions directly impact the lives of all who live and work in our nation’s capital, intruding on working people’s ability to live their lives and support their families. Militarizing our streets creates a hostile environment that will chill hospitality, impact travel and tourism to the district, and erode industries that power the economy and support thousands of good union jobs. And it puts added stress on the teachers, nurses, postal and transportation workers, students, and the many federal workers who are already under attack by this administration’s anti-worker, union-busting actions. 

President Trump’s takeover of Washington, D.C.’s law enforcement is targeting Black, Brown and immigrant Washingtonians, sweeping them into the administration’s cruel mass deportation agenda and harassing them at home and on the streets as they make their way to and from their jobs. These aggressive moves by the administration aren’t doing anything to lower costs, create opportunity, or improve their lives or safety. They’re simply creating a culture of fear and adding hardship to working people already struggling to get by and make ends meet. 

The labor movement is the center of community and the first line of defense for America’s workers, and we take that responsibility seriously. We fight for real freedom, fairness and security for all working people: to be paid fairly and treated with dignity on the job; to raise our families and care for our neighbors without fear; and to live and thrive in our communities. That won’t come from federal agents on our streets, but from good union jobs, policies that protect our basic rights, and respect for all people—whoever we are and wherever we come from. Whatever is thrown at us, whether from billionaire corporate bosses or this administration, we won’t back down. 

Contact: Mia Jacobs, 202-637-5018