In a dramatic escalation of federal authority over the nation’s capital, President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is placing Washington, D.C.’s police force under federal control and activating 800 members of the National Guard. The move, Trump said, is aimed at making the city safer, despite city officials insisting that violent crime is already on the decline.
Speaking from the James Brady Press Briefing Room alongside his attorney general, defense secretary, and the FBI director, Trump declared a public safety emergency and vowed to remove homeless encampments from key areas. “We’re going to take our capital back,” he said, adding that his administration would also focus on “getting rid of the slums” and cleaning up graffiti and potholes he described as “embarrassing.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi will oversee the Metropolitan Police Department during the federal control period, which is legally capped at 30 days under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. Trump did not specify whether he intended to seek an extension through congressional action.
Why Is Trump Deploying the National Guard to DC?
Trump invoked Section 740 of the Home Rule Act, granting the president authority to declare a “crime emergency” and temporarily take over the city’s police department. He signed an order directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to mobilize 800 National Guard troops.
The president’s stated goal is to increase visible law enforcement and “restore order” by deploying more than 500 federal officers, including FBI agents, ATF agents, DEA agents, and U.S. Marshals. The administration argues this surge will deter violent crime and address what Trump has repeatedly called “tents, squalor, filth, and Crime” in the city.
However, according to the District’s own data, violent crime is down 26% compared to the same period last year, with homicides, robberies, and burglaries all showing significant declines.
City Officials Push Back Against Federal Takeover
Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb sharply criticized the move, calling it “unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful.” Schwalb noted that violent crime in Washington is at a 30-year low and reiterated there is “no crime emergency” under the law.
Bowser questioned whether using the National Guard for policing was an effective strategy, instead urging the federal government to fill longstanding vacancies in the D.C. Superior Court and increase funding for prosecutors. She acknowledged that while the president does have limited statutory authority to assume control over the police in certain circumstances, “none of those conditions exist in our city right now.”
Focus on Homelessness and Public Order
A central element of Trump’s plan is the removal of homeless encampments from areas near the National Mall and major government buildings. Trump has pledged to relocate individuals to facilities “far from the Capital,” though his administration has not disclosed where or how they will be housed.
In recent social media posts, Trump stated, “The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”
Political and Legal Implications
Trump’s decision reflects his broader “tough-on-crime” platform and has stirred political debate over the limits of federal power in a city that is not a state but has local governance under the Home Rule Act of 1973. Repealing or modifying that act to permanently return full control of the city to Congress and the White House would require legislative action—something Trump says his lawyers are reviewing.
Local leaders warn that federal overreach could undermine the city’s autonomy and set a precedent for future administrations to override local authority without clear justification.
Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to Washington, D.C., is officially justified as a crime-fighting measure, but it has already sparked intense debate over legality, necessity, and the balance of power between local and federal governance. With crime statistics showing a downward trend, the coming weeks will reveal whether the move is a temporary security boost or the beginning of a larger political confrontation.
You Must Know:
Why is Trump deploying the National Guard to DC?
President Trump says it’s to combat crime, remove homeless encampments, and restore public order, despite data showing crime rates are down.
How long can the president control DC’s police?
Under the Home Rule Act, the president can assume control for up to 30 days unless extended by Congress.
What does the DC mayor say about the move?
Mayor Bowser calls it “unnecessary” and says it’s not the most effective use of the National Guard, urging federal help in other areas like court staffing.
Will homeless people be forced out of the city?
Yes, Trump has said homeless individuals will be relocated, but details on where they will go remain unclear.
Are crime rates in DC rising or falling?
According to city data, violent crime is down 26% this year compared to last year, with major offenses showing steady declines.
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