In a decisive move aimed at tackling crime and homelessness in Washington DC, President Donald Trump has activated 800 members of the National Guard and taken control of the city’s police forces, declaring a public safety emergency. This decision was announced during a press conference, where Trump described the situation in the capital as one of "complete and total lawlessness".
“I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor,” Trump stated, flanked by US Attorney General Pam Bondi. She is set to oversee the police force while it operates under federal jurisdiction. The president asserted that DC has been dominated by “violent gangs” and “drugged out maniacs,” while also referring to issues of homelessness.
Contrary to the president's claims, statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department reveal a significant decrease in violent crime, with homicides in the city dropping by 32% from 2023 to 2024 and reaching a 30-year low. Mayor Muriel Bowser firmly rejected Trump’s claims of a crime surge, insisting, “We are not experiencing a crime spike.”
The deployment of the National Guard will see 100 to 200 troops actively supporting law enforcement at any given time. Trump’s measures also incorporate taking control of the police via the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which permits such actions in emergency situations. Mayor Bowser expressed concern about these moves and pointed out that specific conditions for such federal control were not currently met.
In addition to addressing crime, Trump articulated his intention to confront homelessness in DC, although his approach remains vague and he mentioned potentially relocating individuals without specifying destinations. Local service organizations reported progress in reducing homelessness over recent years, contradicting Trump’s statements.
The announcement sparked protests outside the White House, with demonstrators voicing concerns that Trump seeks to exert control rather than genuinely improve safety. A speaker at the protest stated, “Trump does not care about DC's safety; he cares about control.”
Trump's recent critiques of the city's Democratic leadership stem from ongoing frustrations regarding issue management. This incident reflects broader national concerns, as Trump pointed to violent incidents involving federal employees as evidence of growing danger in the city.
This is the president’s second mobilization of the National Guard in recent years, the first being related to protests in Los Angeles over immigrant policy and a previous deployment after the Capitol riot in January 2021.
“I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor,” Trump stated, flanked by US Attorney General Pam Bondi. She is set to oversee the police force while it operates under federal jurisdiction. The president asserted that DC has been dominated by “violent gangs” and “drugged out maniacs,” while also referring to issues of homelessness.
Contrary to the president's claims, statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department reveal a significant decrease in violent crime, with homicides in the city dropping by 32% from 2023 to 2024 and reaching a 30-year low. Mayor Muriel Bowser firmly rejected Trump’s claims of a crime surge, insisting, “We are not experiencing a crime spike.”
The deployment of the National Guard will see 100 to 200 troops actively supporting law enforcement at any given time. Trump’s measures also incorporate taking control of the police via the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which permits such actions in emergency situations. Mayor Bowser expressed concern about these moves and pointed out that specific conditions for such federal control were not currently met.
In addition to addressing crime, Trump articulated his intention to confront homelessness in DC, although his approach remains vague and he mentioned potentially relocating individuals without specifying destinations. Local service organizations reported progress in reducing homelessness over recent years, contradicting Trump’s statements.
The announcement sparked protests outside the White House, with demonstrators voicing concerns that Trump seeks to exert control rather than genuinely improve safety. A speaker at the protest stated, “Trump does not care about DC's safety; he cares about control.”
Trump's recent critiques of the city's Democratic leadership stem from ongoing frustrations regarding issue management. This incident reflects broader national concerns, as Trump pointed to violent incidents involving federal employees as evidence of growing danger in the city.
This is the president’s second mobilization of the National Guard in recent years, the first being related to protests in Los Angeles over immigrant policy and a previous deployment after the Capitol riot in January 2021.
