President Donald Trump is accusing Democrats of paying people to protest his tough-on-crime policies—without offering any proof.
“It’s just been found that the Democrats are buying protestors in order to fight my attack on crime,” Trump posted on Truth Social while flying to Alaska on Air Force One. “These are criminals who support crime. They are unelectable!”
The protests Trump referred to began earlier this week in Washington, D.C., where crowds have taken to the streets near the White House and around the city to push back against what they call an “occupation” by federal law enforcement.
Federal agents and local police have been stationed at key points across the city. At one checkpoint Wednesday night, protesters clashed with officers as tickets were handed out for broken taillights and seatbelt violations—offenses critics say have nothing to do with violent crime.
One protester was arrested earlier this week for throwing a ham and cheese sandwich at police.
Republican Amanda Carpenter, a former aide to Sen. Ted Cruz, criticized the show of force. “We were told they’re going to stop violent crime. That’s not violent crime, right? Everyone was sold under the idea that we have to stop the violent criminals. That is not what these troops are doing,” she said.
“They’re strolling around the national monuments and the streets of Georgetown to have a big show of force, it’s just like the military parade that Donald Trump wanted because he wants a show of force,” she added.
Despite the president’s fiery claims, no evidence has surfaced to support his accusation that Democrats are paying protesters. The demonstrations appear to be driven by local frustration with the increased federal presence—not by outside money.
