One year ago, the Trump administration brought 800 National Guard troops to occupy the streets of Washington, D.C., part of the “Safe and Beautiful Task Force.” The National Guard can be found meandering around metro stations, museums, and grocery stores there for mere posture. Karen Degraphenreid, a veteran of the US Air Force as a Major of 10 years, got involved with Free DC when the military occupation in D.C. began. Karen is also a member of Common Defense, which holds trainings for veterans to verbally confront the National Guard. We later drowned out a public appearance by Hegseth, Stephen Miller, and hundreds of National Guard at Malcolm X Park.