DC Officer Daniel Hodges Calls Trump’s Guard Deployment ‘Political Theater’

Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges is widely recognized for his bravery during the January 6th insurrection. And he isn’t afraid to point out that President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy the National Guard and federal law enforcement across the District is unnecessary, unhelpful, and rooted in political theater rather than public safety. Hodges joined Maggie Daun, host of The Maggie Daun Show, to discuss why he is dismissing Trump’s framing of the move as an emergency response.

“There’s definitely crime in D.C.,” he acknowledged, “but nothing in recent memory constitutes an emergency. Federalization doesn’t offer real benefits—it’s about being in the headlines and in control.”

Watch the entire discussion, starting at 1:00:35, here:

Hodges served in the Virginia National Guard before joining the MPD. He said deploying soldiers in city neighborhoods is counterproductive.

“They’re not trained for traffic stops, mediating family disputes, or urban policing. Soldiers are trained to fight wars. We’re not at war in D.C.,” Hodges explains.

He warned that the mass presence of Guard members and federal agents in low-crime, high-visibility areas suggests a political motive.

“This isn’t about crime. It’s about sticking it to a liberal city that hates Donald Trump,” Hodges says.

The officer also rejected Trump’s recent claim of being a “war hero,” calling it “extremely disrespectful” to veterans.

“Heroism is about sacrifice. Putting others ahead of yourself. I don’t think Donald Trump has ever done that in his life,” he says.

Hodges also urged protesters to know their rights and exercise them responsibly. He cautioned demonstrators to document interactions with law enforcement but avoid physical confrontation.

“You’re not going to win the fight on the street,” he explains. “You win it later in court.”

And while reflecting on January 6th, Hodges calls that day a true emergency. He says it’s also when a timely National Guard response could have saved lives and bolstered frontline officers.

This current deployment, he argues, is little more than political theater.

Watch as Hodges talks about January 6th in an earlier interview here: