National Guard Deployment: A Threat to Democracy and Public Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of social workers in the United States. We believe that few things are as important as public safety and individual health and well-being.

The Importance of Public Safety

Unlike the previous administration, we understand that the foundations of public safety do not lie in fear, intimidation, or armed troops patrolling our cities. Instead, true safety is built on policies and programs that promote well-being and dignity. These include safe and affordable housing, food and economic security, equal access to education, affordable health care, freedom from discrimination, a well-funded social safety net, and civil liberties that guarantee due process and equal protections under the law.

We are alarmed that the previous administration systematically undermined these essential elements. The decision to deploy National Guard troops to cities, such as Washington, D.C., where no documented threat to public safety exists, is particularly concerning.

A Call to Action

“Social workers cannot and will not stand by while militarized vehicles roll through our streets and fear is used as a weapon against our communities,” said NASW CEO Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C. “This isn’t safety; it’s suppression. True public safety is built on housing, health care, education, and justice, not soldiers patrolling neighborhoods.”

Rather than strengthening American families and communities, the previous administration has:

• Vilified, victimized, and criminalized individuals experiencing mental health challenges and homelessness.
• Promoted legislation that leaves nearly 12 million individuals without health insurance and almost four million without food assistance.
• Stigmatized marginalized groups, including transgender individuals and immigrants, who seek to live freely and safely.
• Rounded up, jailed, and deported immigrants without recognizing their humanity or providing access to due process.
• Cut access to educational opportunities and economic advancement by dismantling the Department of Education and defunding essential programs.
• Revoked funding for public health research and mental health programs amid a national mental health crisis.
• Attempted to distort American history in museums and cultural institutions, misrepresenting the contributions of diverse communities.
  
  

The Tipping Point

As we witness an increasing number of troops arriving in the nation’s capital in an unprovoked show of force, we stand at a critical juncture. We can either move toward authoritarianism, employing desperate methods of social control that strip freedom from all of us, or we can take a step back.

It is essential to remind ourselves who we are and to reach out to support those in need. Together, we can reclaim control of our democracy. We hope you will join us in ensuring that our democracy does not break for good.

“This administration’s authoritarian tactics are a direct threat to our democracy and to every freedom we hold dear,” Estreet stated. “At NASW, we refuse to be silent. We will fight back with the full weight of our profession, mobilizing social workers across this nation to defend dignity, protect human rights, and reclaim democracy for the people.”

Conclusion

The deployment of National Guard troops represents a troubling trend that threatens the very fabric of our democracy. As social workers, we must remain vigilant and proactive in advocating for policies that promote safety, dignity, and justice for all.

Federalization of D.C. police is an intrusive presidential overreach

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The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), in Washington, DC, is the largest membership organization of professional social workers. It promotes, develops, and protects the practice of social work and social workers. NASW also seeks to enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities through its advocacy.