The Hill on NewsNation: National Guard, Sanctuary Cities, Intel Investment, and Ukraine Peace Talks

National Guard Deployment and Crime Statistics

• 🛡️ National Guard troops are being deployed to Washington D.C. to increase security, with numbers set to rise.
• 📍 While National Guard presence is visible around key landmarks like the White House, residents in southeast D.C. question the deployment strategy, noting a lack of presence in higher crime areas.
• 📈 The D.C. Police Union reports an 8% decrease in crime in the five days since the National Guard's deployment, with significant drops in robberies and carjackings.
• ⚠️ Despite reported crime reductions, some residents express that the show of force feels more like a spectacle for visitors rather than direct aid to local communities.

Sanctuary Cities and Immigration Policy

• 🗣️ Boston Mayor Michelle Woo has fiery responded to Attorney General Pam Bondi's threats regarding sanctuary city policies, accusing the administration of unconstitutional threats and unlawful coercion.
• 🚫 Boston vows to continue being a home for everyone, with Mayor Woo criticizing the Trump administration for not focusing on domestic issues like the economy.
• 🚨 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that ICE enforcement officers will be heading to Boston, citing the arrest of an MS-13 gang member and child rapist from the city, and criticizing Mayor Woo's lack of cooperation.

Government Investment in Intel

• 💰 The Trump administration is considering taking a multi-billion dollar stake in Intel, a Fortune 500 company, citing national security concerns and competition with China.
• 🚫 Critics like Kevin Oly argue against government picking "winners and losers" in the market, advocating for private sector investment and suggesting Intel should be sold for parts.
• 🇺🇸 Mark Short agrees, calling it an "absolutely terrible idea" and comparing it to government ownership of grocery stores, emphasizing that competing with China should not mean becoming more like China.
• 💡 An alternative proposed is using tax incentives to encourage private investment in critical sectors like rare earth minerals, rather than direct government equity stakes.

Ukraine Peace Talks and Security Guarantees

• 🤝 President Trump is working to broker a face-to-face meeting between Ukrainian President Zelensky and Russian President Putin, with both leaders reportedly willing to meet.
• ✈️ While boots on the ground are ruled out, military options in the air above Ukraine are not being ruled out by President Trump, indicating potential US involvement in air power.
• ❓ Congressman Rich McCormack expresses skepticism about Putin's sincerity, noting past negotiation tactics and the complexity of securing guarantees, especially concerning NATO forces and potential air power.
• 🗺️ Switzerland is being pitched as a potential location for the peace talks, highlighting the ongoing diplomatic efforts.

Border Security and DHS Secretary Actions

• ⚫ DHS Secretary Christy Gnome announced a new initiative to paint the border wall black in New Mexico, intended to make it hotter and harder to climb, and also for durability.
• 🏛️ House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeff has threatened to haul Secretary Gnome before Congress if Democrats gain control, citing concerns about due process and the rule of law in immigration conduct.
• ⚖️ Panelists debate whether the focus should be on deporting criminals versus everyday immigrants, and the constitutional issues surrounding detention and deportation processes.
• 📈 Republicans maintain an advantage on border security as a political issue, though Democrats argue for a more effective approach that includes due process and lawful implementation.