D.C. religious leaders denounce Trump crackdown as 24/7 federal patrols ramp up

The Trump administration's D.C. crackdown was ramping up National Guard deployment and 24/7 federal patrols on Wednesday night, drawing a sharp rebuke from religious leaders in the U.S. capital.The big picture: President Trump maintains his unprecedented action in declaring a "crime emergency" in D.C. was necessary, but the interfaith group said his "sweeping language" to justify it is "inaccurate and dehumanizing, increasing the risk of indiscriminate arrests and the use of excessive force."State of play: Trump has deployed some 800 National Guard soldiers and about 850 officers and agents to D.C.Trump's federalization of the Metropolitan Police Department has a 30-day limit unless Congress acts to extend it — and the president indicated on Wednesday he'll push for a "long-term extension" in a crime bill that'll initially concern D.C. but will serve as a roadmap for other cities.Sporadic protests broke out as groups of federal law enforcement patrolled D.C. on Wednesday night, images from the scene show.Some residents have been protesting in the streets and on social media since the crackdown began, pointing out that violent crime has fallen in the city.The White House maintains the Trump administration has broad public support for the action.What they're saying: "Even one violent crime is one too many, and all Washingtonians deserve to live in safety. But safety cannot be achieved through political theatre and military force," per the statement from the group that includes Bishop Mariann Budde — who upset Trump at a January prayer service when she implored him to "have mercy" on immigrants and LGBTQ+ people."It requires honesty and sustained collaboration between government, civic, and private partners — work now being sidelined," the statement reads."Inflammatory rhetoric distracts from that work, even as the administration has cut more than $1 billion from programs proven to reduce crime, including law enforcement support, addiction and mental health treatment, youth programs, and affordable housing," the statement said.Of note: "The president has likened his intentions for Washington — and possibly other cities — to the harsh measures already used against migrants, tactics that have resulted in thousands detained in inhumane conditions and many deported without due process," they added.The group is calling on the city's political and civic leaders to "reject fear-based governance and work together in a spirit of dignity and respect — so that safety, justice, and compassion prevail in our city."For the record: The D.C. religious leaders involved in the statement, titled "Fear Is Not a Strategy for Safety," along with Budde are:Washington National Cathedral Dean Randy Hollerith; Rabbi Lauren Holtzblatt, co-senior rabbi at Adas Israel Congregation; Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling, episcopal leader of the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Area Conference and Rabbi Abbi Sharofsky, director of Intergroup Relations and rabbi in residence at the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Washington.The Rev. John Molina-Moore, general presbyter for National Capital Presbytery; Bishop Leila Ortiz, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner, director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Rabbi Jon Roos, Temple Sinai; and Rabbi Susan Shankman, Washington Hebrew Congregation also signed onto the statement.Scenes from D.C. as federal patrols stepped up An Immigration and Customs Enforcement-branded SUV and an ICE- branded pickup at the U.S. Capitol on Aug. 13. Photo: Andrew Leyden/Getty Images FBI agents are followed by protesters in the U Street neighborhood on Aug. 13 in Washington, D.C. Photo: Andrew Leyden/Getty Images Law enforcement officers at a security checkpoint on 14th Street on Wednesday, Aug. 13. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Bloomberg via Getty Images Law enforcement officers at a security checkpoint on 14th Street on Aug. 13. Photo: Kayla Bartkowski/Bloomberg via Getty Images A protester confronts a vehicle filled with FBI agents in the U Street neighborhood of D.C. on Aug. 13. Photo: Andrew Leyden/Getty Images A Metropolitan Police officer speaks to a homeless woman in front of her tent in downtown D.C. on Aug. 13. Photo: Alex Wroblewski/AFP via Getty Images Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Park Police officers detain a person on the National Mall on Aug. 13. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty ImagesMore from Axios: Inside Trump's power play for more control in D.C.D.C. business leaders warn Trump's crackdown may hurt tourismD.C. man accused of throwing sandwich at federal agent faces felony charges"Unheard of and ominous": Trump's D.C. homelessness crackdown perplexes advocates

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