August 11, 2025
The National Association of Black Counselors (NABC) stands firmly against the alarming federal intervention in Washington, D.C., where the Metropolitan Police Department has been placed under federal control and nearly 800 National Guard troops have been deployed. This action mirrors a form of martial law. This follows a troubling pattern of militarized responses in U.S. cities initiated by the federal government.
Earlier this summer, Los Angeles witnessed the federal deployment of over 4,700 National Guard members and 700 Marines to manage protests triggered by aggressive immigration raids. This unprecedented federalization occurred without the consent of California’s governor, bypassing state sovereignty and raising alarms about constitutional overreach. California’s leadership condemned the deployment as illegal and unconstitutional, citing violations of the Tenth Amendment and the Posse Comitatus Act. These events are now being challenged in court.
We are deeply alarmed by the potential normalization of these tactics. Deploying military personnel against civilian populations, especially communities of color and immigrants, threatens civil liberties, undermines trust, and inflicts severe psychological trauma. The visible presence of heavily armed forces does not restore peace; it fosters fear, suppresses dissent, and destabilizes community mental health.
These incidents collectively signal an authoritarian drift, as federal power is used to override local governance under the guise of “public safety.” NABC condemns this trend and urges:
- Immediate restoration of local authority in Washington, D.C.
- Transparency and accountability in decisions affecting communities of color.
- Judicial and legislative safeguards to prevent misuse of executive power.
- Mental health support for populations impacted by militarized enforcement.
As counselors dedicated to empowerment and justice, we remain committed to defending democratic norms, ensuring psychological safety, and uplifting community resilience in the face of federal overreach.
