National Guard troops deployed by President Donald Trump to address a declared “crime emergency” in Washington, D.C., were seen this week collecting litter, spreading mulch and painting over graffiti in Lafayette Square and other federal parks near the White House. The soldiers worked in uniform and reflective vests alongside National Park Service staff, a highly visible assignment that expanded the mission beyond patrol and security duties begun when the administration took control of the city’s police response on Aug. 11. Some service members said they welcomed the chance to help residents, while also questioning whether waste-management tasks are an appropriate use of the military. The unusual sight has drawn praise from supporters who see it as evidence of a broader city “cleanup” and criticism from opponents who argue the deployment normalizes a militarized presence in civilian life. District crime statistics released by the Metropolitan Police Department show 75 violent crimes were recorded from Aug. 12-26, a 23 percent drop from the previous two-week period. Mayor Muriel Bowser said carjackings have fallen 87 percent compared with the same time last year, and independent tallies cited by analysts such as pollster Frank Luntz indicate violent crime is down roughly 45 percent over the past three weeks. The Justice Department reports more than 1,000 arrests since the crackdown began, with Pentagon lawyers detailed to help prosecute cases in federal court. Civil-liberties advocates warn the sustained troop presence and expanded federal prosecutions could strain the city’s justice system, while the White House argues the early decline in crime validates the strategy.