“Morning Joe” co-host Joe Scarborough disclosed on Monday that a “very liberal” friend privately backs President Trump’s decision to take control of Washington, D.C.’s police force. According to Scarborough, the unnamed friend texted him expressing support for the move, citing growing concerns over safety in the capital. “This may sound controversial, but I’m not totally opposed to Trump’s National Guard move in D.C.… I’ve had too many friends carjacked, shot at. None of us will walk more than three blocks after 8 p.m.,” the friend wrote, adding that many of the crimes were being committed by teenagers as young as thirteen.
Scarborough, who lived near the Supreme Court for two decades, said crime had been a problem for years, noting that when he first moved to the area, a neighbor was held at gunpoint about every three days. His comments follow President Trump’s recent order invoking the Home Rule Act to federalize the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. The order also authorized deployment of the National Guard and federal agents in an effort to restore order, despite official statistics claiming violent crime has reached a three-decade low.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from D.C. officials and progressive activists, who argue that the crackdown is unnecessary and politically motivated. However, President Trump and supporters maintain that the action is needed to combat rising lawlessness, citing public safety concerns and the inability of local leadership to adequately address crime. The president’s directive came days after several high-profile incidents, including the murder of a congressional intern, which fueled calls for stronger measures.
The admission from Scarborough’s friend highlights a growing undercurrent among even left-leaning residents who are frustrated with crime and open to strong action when local governance fails. For many conservatives, the situation in D.C. underscores the importance of law and order, the need for decisive leadership, and the reality that public safety concerns can transcend political boundaries when citizens no longer feel safe in their own neighborhoods.
