Federal authorities prepare to station guard, while Donald Trump pursues long-term federal command over District of Columbia's law enforcement.
In a move aimed at addressing the rising violent crime in the District of Columbia, President Donald Trump declared a public safety emergency and took control of the Washington police department for an initial period of 30 days, starting August 11, 2025. This decision came with the activation of federal forces, including the National Guard, FBI, and DEA, to assist local law enforcement.
The joint task force, led by Army Col. Larry Doane, is expected to include approximately 800 activated soldiers. Some of these troops will be assigned to administrative or logistical roles in support of local law enforcement, while others will work in shifts of 100 to 200 troops at a time, patrolling the city throughout the day and night.
The White House expects a "significantly higher National Guard presence to be on the ground throughout Washington, D.C." beginning Wednesday night, transitioning to round-the-clock, 24/7 operations. On Tuesday night, more than 1,450 federal law enforcement officers and National Guard members patrolled Washington.
In response to this move, law enforcement teams made 43 arrests on Tuesday night, nearly twice the number made Monday night. The teams were deployed throughout all seven districts in D.C. to promote public safety and arrest violent offenders.
However, the Home Rule Act mandates that beyond the 30-day period, Congressional approval via a joint resolution is required to extend federal control. Trump has indicated he will ask Congress for a "long-term" extension of federal authority over the Washington police force.
This action has faced legal challenges, with critics arguing that the President’s extended takeover violates the plain language of Section 740 of the Home Rule Act. Some view such federal deployments as a potential abuse of power and a threat to public safety in D.C. and possibly other cities.
Trump has long threatened to take control of Washington, and he mentioned plans to ask Congress for funds to fight crime and make repairs to Washington's streets and parks. The President's current control of the D.C. police force expires in 30 days, and it remains unclear whether Congress will approve a longer extension.
In a separate development, National Guard troops began deploying in larger numbers along the National Mall overnight, although it was not immediately clear why their presence was needed. The troops were spotted on the National Mall on Tuesday, but they left Wednesday morning. It was later revealed that the latest plan calls for sending activated Army soldiers to spots around the National Mall in the middle of the night.
This news comes as California Governor Gavin Newsom stated that California will draw congressional maps to "END TRUMP PRESIDENCY." However, the focus remains on the ongoing efforts to address the rising crime rates in Washington, D.C., and the potential long-term implications of Trump's control over the local police force.
[1] [https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/11/trump-takes-control-dc-police-force-amid-rising-crime/] [2] [https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-dc-idUSKCN25N207] [3] [https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-s-dc-police-takeover-faces-legal-challenges-potential-abuse-n1284531] [4] [https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/12/politics/trump-dc-police-takeover-legal-challenges/index.html]
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