A California-based “crowd rental” firm says requests for its services in the nation’s capital have skyrocketed following President Donald Trump’s decision to federalize the D.C. police force.
Adam Swart, CEO of Crowds on Demand, told Fox News Digital that D.C. inquiries are up roughly 400% compared to the same May–July period in 2024. Swart said the spike comes during “high-stakes political moments” and that most requests are related to opposing Trump’s policies and warning of “government overreach.”
“We’re weighing those offers carefully,” Swart said. “There’s truth in saying D.C.’s local government has been an abject failure in keeping citizens safe — but there’s also a real danger in putting too much power in federal hands. That balance of power matters.”
Paid Protesters Common in D.C.
Swart noted that the “vast majority” of people at political or advocacy events in Washington are being compensated in some way. “Many protesters are literally on the payroll — Capitol Hill staffers from both parties are often expected to show up at rallies and protests on their own time,” he said. “These crowds aren’t as ‘organic’ as they appear on TV.”
Trump Orders National Guard, Federal Takeover
On Monday, Trump announced that the D.C. National Guard would be deployed to patrol city streets and that the federal government would take control of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Citing unchecked violent crime, Trump pointed to the Aug. 3 attempted carjacking and brutal beating of former Department of Government Efficiency staffer Edward Coristine and his girlfriend as a tipping point.
Trump said criminals in the city are not afraid of local police because “nothing ever happens to them.” In a Truth Social post, he declared:
“Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago… If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
