“It would not be America”: Martina Navratilova slams Donald Trump for taking over Washington police and deploying troops

Martina Navratilova, the famous former tennis player, spoke up on August 14, 2025, on her X account. She shared how upset she was with President Donald J. Trump. Trump had taken over the Washington, D.C., police force and brought in 800 National Guard troops, saying the move was needed to fight rising violent crime in the city. But crime was actually at a low. Navratilova shared a Rolling Stone report and wrote plainly: “He would love nothing more than an excuse to open fire on protesters.” She once said, calling out Trump’s policy, “I were now still in that same position and I had to go live somewhere, it would not be America, because it's not a democracy at the moment”

Martina Navratilova reacts to Trump’s police takeover and protests

One of the all-time greats, Martina Navratilova, renounced her former nation and is now a United States citizen. She achieved 18 Grand Slams overall and won her first at Wimbledon in 1978 against Chris Evert.


Under Section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act, President Trump signed an executive order on August 11, 2025. He said violent crime was surging and took temporary control of the Metropolitan Police Department. He also sent in 800 National Guard soldiers to the capital.

But news outlets like PolitiFact and local officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser, said crime had actually gone down since 2023. Studies found violent crime dropped by about 26–35 per cent in recent years.

In response, many residents took to the streets. They called the military move harsh and anti-democratic. Against this backdrop, Navratilova’s warning rang out: she said Trump looked for any excuse to silence or harm protesters. Her words echoed the concern many felt.

Also Read: “More than any American Culture”: Martina Navratilova once shared how Chris Evert’s Catholic upbringing shaped her tennis image

Martina Navratilova on moving to the U.S. under Trump’s rule

Martina Navratilova, who moved to America in 1981, also spoke recently about immigration. In a BBC interview, she said if she had to choose a country to live in today under President Trump, she would not pick the U.S. She said it no longer felt like a democracy. Many people, she pointed out, are deported for not fully supporting Trump’s agenda or simply for not “kissing the ring.”

Martina Navratilova said that when she left her home at 18, she did not know if she would ever see her parents again. Now, looking back, she questions whether she could have made that move under Trump’s policies. Her words suggest deep concern about where America is heading.



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