Washington's public schools are reopening on Monday, despite parents still being on edge following President Donald Trump's takeover of D.C.
The reopening comes as there are still federal law enforcement officers and thousands of National Guard troops in the area, some of whom are armed. The situation comes as the president touted a drop in crime in the area, which he attributed to his efforts in policing the region.
Washington Schools Reopen
However, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser lamented the effect of the Republican's actions on children in the area. He said that residents are anxious, noting that some parents are choosing to keep their kids out of school due to immigration concerns.
The mayor noted that schools are the safest places for students, adding that the city has invested a lot in children's learning. If these kids are not in school, they are not able to take advantage of that learning. She is calling on everyone to leave their kids alone and allow them to have a great start to their school day and school year, according to ABC News.
This week in Washington, residents observed patrolling National Guard units that are now carrying firearms. The development is a result of a directive that was issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last week.
On Monday, nearly a half dozen National Guard troops walked by the district's main convention center carrying pistols on their hips. The joint task force that has taken over policing in Washington released a statement, saying its units began carrying their service weapons on Sunday.
Donald Trump's D.C. Takeover
Officials added that Armed Guard members in Washington will be operating under long-standing rules for the use of military force in the United States. These broadly say that while troops are allowed to use force, they should only do so "in response to an imminent threat of death or serious bodily harm" and "only as a last resort," the Los Angeles Times reported.
Any questions regarding the chance and why it is necessary are being directed to Hegseth's office. On Monday, the Defense Secretary said that it was "common sense" to arm these personnel because it means they will be capable of "defending themselves and others."
Bowser faced the concerns of parents in the area during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on an addition to an elementary school in the Glover Park neighborhood. Inside a building's gymnasium, she addressed questions about the impacts of Trump's takeover of the city, as per NBC News.
