Trump puts DC law enforcement under federal control
(MENAFN) President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is placing Washington, D.C.’s police force under federal control and deploying the National Guard to address what he described as a “public safety emergency.”
Trump claimed the capital has been overrun by violent gangs, drugged individuals, roving youth, and homeless people, asserting, “This is liberation day in D.C., and we’re going to take our capital back.” He said the Metropolitan Police Department will now operate under direct federal authority and that National Guard troops will help restore law and order.
The president’s claims of rising crime contrast sharply with official data. D.C. police report a 26% decrease in violent crime compared to 2024, and property crimes have fallen by 7%. Attorney General Brian Schwalb condemned Trump’s move as “unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful,” emphasizing that crime rates remain historically low and affirming the city’s intention to protect residents’ rights.
Trump cited Section 740 of the 1973 Home Rule Act as the legal basis for federalizing the police, allowing presidential control for up to 30 days. Attorney General Pam Bondi is slated to oversee the department, while 800 National Guard troops will be deployed, with the possibility of additional forces or military involvement if necessary.
The operation will also target homeless encampments across city parks, and Trump suggested federal authorities may conduct roadwork, though details remain unclear. He indicated that D.C.’s measures could serve as a model for other cities, stating, “Other cities are studying what we’re doing… We’re starting very strongly with D.C., and we’re going to clean it up real quick.”
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