Trump Deploys National Guard to Washington, DC, Pledges Aggressive Crime Crackdown
Washington, DC – In an unprecedented escalation, President Donald Trump has announced the deployment of the National Guard to Washington, DC, alongside a sweeping federal crime strategy designed to “take back” the nation's capital. Declaring "liberation day" for the District, Trump emphasized his intent to reshape public safety, citing both cleanliness and law-and-order concerns.read more
A Bold Declaration
At a White House press conference on August 11, 2025, President Trump stated that he was federalizing control of the Metropolitan Police Department and mobilizing up to 800 National Guard troops to the city. The move, he declared, marked the return of responsibility for DC's safety to the federal government. Fox News+1
Powers and Precedence
Trump's authority to federalize DC’s police stems from Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which allows presidential control of local police for up to 30 days in an emergency—with congressional notification. Extending beyond that would require additional legislative actions. Fox News+1
Trump himself criticized the city's local governance and enforcement, arguing that rules—not reduction in manpower—are the real issue. “You have rules and regulations, and the right people to implement them,” Trump said, dismissing calls for increasing police numbers. Fox News+1
Motivating Incident
The immediate trigger for this dramatic security shift was the assault of Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old former staffer at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), nicknamed "Big Balls." The attack occurred during an attempted carjacking in Logan Circle and led to national headlines. Trump posted bloodied images of the victim on Truth Social, calling the crime rate “a shame.” Fox NewsYahooWUSA9PoliticoThe Straits TimesWJLA
Federal Presence Escalates
Following the president’s declaration, DC officials confirmed an imminent increase in federal law enforcement presence across the city. Starting Thursday, agencies including the FBI, ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, Metro Transit Police, DEA, and others began supplemented patrols—particularly in high-traffic and symbolic areas like the National Mall and Union Station. WJLANBC4 Washington
However, a National Guard spokesman clarified that the troops observed loading Humvees near the DC Armory were part of a “routine training exercise,” though the president maintained that deployment would follow soon as part of a broader crackdown. NBC4 WashingtonFox News
Crime vs. Perception
Officials challenged Trump’s crime portrayal. The DC Attorney General, Brian Schwalb, called the federal action "unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful," noting that violent crime in the district has fallen to a 30-year low and is down another 26% year-to-date compared to 2024. Fox NewsFOX 5 DC
Similarly, the U.S. Attorney for DC, Jeanine Pirro, acknowledged the crime decline—particularly homicides dropping to 99 so far this year, a 12% reduction from the previous year—while also asserting that juvenile crime still needs firm action. WUSA9Yahoo
Criticism Amid Controversy
Opponents seized on the federal takeover as political posturing rather than public safety. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries lamented that crime was at a historic low and that Trump had “zero credibility on the issue of law and order.” Fox News+1
Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office and DC Police officials declined commenting on federal plans, citing lack of briefing and coordination. FOX 5 DCWUSA9
Legal and Political Hurdles Ahead
To sustain this federal control, Trump’s administration would need to challenge or repeal the 1973 Home Rule Act, which currently ensures DC residents’ self-governance. White House fingers are already probing legal pathways to revoke the act, but passing repeal legislation in Congress remains steeply uphill. The Straits TimesPoliticoFOX 5 DC
Washington’s Image at Stake
Trump framed the action as a restoration of DC’s dignity—calling for city "beautification," clean streets, and safer neighborhoods. The Straits TimesPolitico
Meanwhile, local residents and advocates showed mixed reactions. Some voiced agreement with heightened enforcement, while others called the response inflamed and disproportionate to both the crime rates and the violent incident in question. WJLA
Looking Forward
Now, as federal agents and possibly Guard troops bolster security, the public watches how enforcement unfolds, and whether DC’s leaders and U.S. lawmakers will resist or facilitate the transfer of authority. The episode may test the boundaries of local autonomy, constitutional norms, and the balance between urgent safety needs and democratic self-governance.
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