“They can quit if they don’t like it.”

The National Guard’s deployment into Washington, D.C., has been extremely controversial, to say the least. But one individual’s technique of coping with it’s drawing specific consideration on-line.

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So far, 9 movies have been posted to TikTok during which @freedc20009 follows numerous members of the National Guard across the metropolis whereas blasting “The Imperial March” from Star Wars. If you’re even remotely conversant in the movies, you’d acknowledge the music even when the identify itself doesn’t instantly ring a bell. It’s Darth Vader’s theme track, a musical cue that evil has arrived and everybody round should fall in line or danger punishment.

@freedc20009 #freedc ♬ unique sound – freedc20009

Mostly, the troops @freedc20009 follows simply ignore the nameless TikToker, however there are a few instances within the movies that they cease and deal with him. The music typically drowns out their feedback, however the latest video (above) is an exception.

“Hey man, if you’re going to keep following us, we can contact Metro PD and they can come and handle you, if that’s what you want to do,” some powerful man whose hat sports activities the identify “Beck” threatens him. “Is that what you want to do? Okay.”

It’s unclear whether or not Beck and his roving gang ever contacted the police, however the video continues on uninterrupted for an additional minute and 15 seconds as @freedc20009 continues following the group.

Depending on the precise circumstances, it’s unlikely the TikToker is breaking any legal guidelines by following some goons round enjoying music for a couple of minutes right here and there, however that additionally suggests rights nonetheless matter within the U.S., which feels fairly debatable in the intervening time.

@freedc20009 #freedc ♬ unique sound – freedc20009

Online reactions to the ‘Imperial March’ National Guard TikToks

The account first began posting these movies on August 29, 2025. The second one has racked up over 3.9 million views in that time-frame. Recently, they’ve begun to go viral on different platforms, together with X and reddit. And though acolytes of Donald Trump might have completely different opinions about it, people who find themselves towards the invasion of the National Guard right into a metropolis to help the president’s whims and made-up claims about crime are glad to see somebody pushing again, even in a manner that merely causes imprecise annoyance.

“I literally can’t stop watching all of these posts,” one TikTok remark reads. “The tears are streaming down my face, cannot stop laughing.”

“They can quit if they don’t like it,” one other advised.

On Thursday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that the National Guard’s deployment to the town has not been answerable for any lowered crime charges. Trump has ordered troops be despatched into Memphis, Tennessee, subsequent.

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