By Trevor Hunnicutt and Joseph Ax WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Top Trump administration officials on Wednesday thanked troops deployed in the nation's capital and blasted demonstrators opposed to the aggressive anti-crime efforts as "stupid white hippies.

JD Vance serves burgers to troops, praising their efforts amid chants of ‘free DC’ from protesters at Union Station.

Articles and videos about Protest underway in DC as Trump set to hit the streets for patrol Thursday night on FOX 5 DC.

An activist group called Refuse Fascism led the demonstrators as they marched down Connecticut Avenue to the National Mall, filling the road and blocking traffic. Many were wearing bright orange bandannas and holding signs with slogans, including “Trump Must Go Now” and “No ICE! No National Guard!”

The protest comes as West Virginia, South Carolina, and Ohio announced they would deploy hundreds of additional National Guard troops to the nation's capital.

President Donald Trump has expanded his law-enforcement crackdown in Washington, D.C., with top officials visiting National Guard troops at the city's main railroad station.

As Vice President JD Vance staged a lunch to thank the National Guard members that President Donald Trump has deployed to Washington, DC, he was frequently drowned out by protesters.