Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) criticized President Donald Trump’s federal deployment of troops in Washington, D.C., calling the move a “stunt” designed to distract from political pressure. Murphy made the remarks Sunday on NBC’s Meet the Press in response to growing debate over rising crime and Trump’s decision to send federal forces into the nation’s capital.
Moderator Kristen Welker noted that Republicans consistently poll higher than Democrats on public trust regarding crime and safety, asking Murphy how he responds to voters who support Trump’s tough-on-crime stance. Murphy argued that crime increased during Trump’s first term but began declining after President Joe Biden took office. He claimed crime has been falling sharply in Washington and other major cities, disputing Trump’s portrayal of Democrats as weak on law enforcement.
Murphy also accused Trump of creating a distraction as questions mount within his base. He pointed to Trump’s refusal to release the Epstein files, concerns about health care costs, and allegations of protecting “very powerful people” as reasons the former president turned attention to crime in the capital. “Nothing different is really happening in the United States capital today,” Murphy said, adding that crime would continue to fall regardless of federal troop presence.
The deployment follows Trump’s announcement of a crime crackdown in Washington, where federal officers and National Guard troops have been seen patrolling near the Capitol. Trump has argued the action is necessary to restore order in Democrat-run cities plagued by lawlessness. Republicans have long criticized soft-on-crime policies in blue states and cities, highlighting record numbers of violent incidents under progressive prosecutors and relaxed policing standards.
Murphy dismissed those concerns, framing Trump’s actions as political theater meant to “create a new news cycle.” The senator maintained that the presence of troops in D.C. has no bearing on long-term crime trends, which he insisted are already improving.
