Trump officials – In Washington, D.C., Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other Trump administration officials praised National Guard troops during a ceremony at the newly restored Meridian Hill Park fountain—where protesters outside shouted “Guard go home” and anti-Trump messa
On Thursday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stood at the base of the Meridian Hill Park fountain as National Guard troops lined the reflecting pool below—an orderly scene meant to signal renewal in the nation’s capital.
The fountain. a cascading landmark that had fallen into decay for seven years. was restored this spring through the efforts of Trump’s D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. At the ceremony. Hegseth spoke alongside other Trump administration officials. including Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller.
The task force was created through an executive order in March of 2025. Hegseth thanked the “scores of National Guard troops” who took part in that effort and said their work mattered in Washington’s 250th year.
“From all across this great country — you’re not from Washington, most of you. But this is your capital,” Hegseth said. “And you believe in this 250th year that it should be safe, and it should be secure.”
Blanche echoed the message, saying the city had been pushed to “do something about it.” He described what he said President Trump saw when he looked at Washington.
“President Trump said that he looked around this city. the capital of the greatest country in the history of civilization. and didn’t like what he saw. ” Blanche said. “He didn’t like the crime; he didn’t like the way it looked. and he instructed us to do something about it. And that’s exactly what we’ve done.”.
He then said the Trump administration’s efforts would make the city “better than it has ever been.”
Miller’s remarks focused on public safety and statistics. He praised the Guard’s presence and said it has produced the lowest crime rate the District has ever seen.
“Each and every one of you has been part of the single most successful public safety initiative in the history of this country,” Miller said. “In 12 months, the crime rates in D.C. have gone from among the highest in the world to the lowest recorded in the history of our nation’s capital.”
He added that the change represented a dramatic drop in violent crime.
“It is the largest, fastest, steepest reduction in violent crime that has been achieved in any city anywhere in this country since the recording of crime data has existed,” Miller said.
When asked for a response to Miller’s claims, the mayor’s office had no comment. Last year, city officials were celebrating fast-falling crime statistics, saying overall crime was at a 30-year low and trending lower.
Outside the park, the ceremony played out under a very different atmosphere. A few dozen protesters tried to drown out the event, shouting “Guard go home” and “We hate Trump.” Some carried anti-Trump signs and flags, yelling through bullhorns and blowing whistles.
Hegseth directly acknowledged the protesters during his remarks.
“This background noise this morning is perfect. It’s the sound of ingrates. of ingratitude. of people who are so blinded by ideology they can’t see law and order and common sense in front of them. ” Hegseth said. “That there’s nothing ideological about this group. There’s nothing political about this exercise. Law and order is something all Americans deserve.”.
Although some protesters interacted with Guard members directly, shouting at them at times, no physical altercations occurred and no one was arrested.
By the time the ceremony ended, the restored fountain stood in the spotlight, but the day’s message—public safety and beautification paired with political backlash—was impossible to ignore.
Meridian Hill Park fountain Pete Hegseth Todd Blanche Stephen Miller National Guard D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force protests Washington DC crime statistics
Sounds like they just wanted cameras while people yelled at them.
“Guard go home” like… why are the guards even there for a fountain? Crime doesn’t fix itself by marching in a park.
Wait so the National Guard restored the fountain? I thought that’s what contractors are for. Also 250th year?? That’s like next year right? I’m lost.
Stephen Miller was there so you know it’s political theater. They say “safe and secure” but all I can think is they’re trying to shut down protestors. Meridian Hill Park fountain looked fine to me the last time I went, so what exactly got “restored” anyway? Just seems like a headline to justify troops.