Federal forces, in the numbers of 800 National Guardsmen, are being dispatched to Washington.
In a move that has sparked controversy, President Donald Trump has ordered the deployment of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., citing public safety concerns and a desire to make the capital safer and more beautiful. This decision comes after Trump's initial 30-day takeover of the city's Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under the 1973 Home Rule Act.
The deployment of 800 National Guard troops, with the possibility of more forces being mobilized if necessary, has been met with opposition from the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, Brian Schwalb. Schwalb has expressed that the government's actions in Washington, D.C. are unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful.
The Home Rule Act allows for federal control of the MPD for up to 30 days without congressional approval. However, any extensions beyond this period require a joint resolution from Congress to legally prolong federal control. Trump has stated his intention to seek "long-term extensions" from Congress, but the law currently mandates congressional approval to extend federal control past the initial 30 days.
The deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles in June 2023 was a response to massive protests against ICE. Trump has also previously deployed National Guard troops in Los Angeles, and he has offered accommodations to homeless individuals in Washington, D.C., but away from the capital.
Trump has also expressed an interest in declaring Chicago a potential city for similar actions due to its current state. The National Guard can be deployed in national emergencies, including natural disasters, riots, and internal emergencies. The White House has published a decree that transfers control of local police to Trump in an emergency.
The city's police will be placed under federal control, acting under the direction of Attorney General Pam Bondi. According to local police, the number of violent crimes decreased by over a quarter compared to the previous year by early August. However, the proportionality of the deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles is being challenged in court.
The total number of offenses decreased by seven percent, and the number of reported crimes also decreased between 2023 and 2024. Trump has posted photos on his Truth Social platform showing tents and dirt on the side of the road in Washington, D.C., which some interpret as evidence of the need for intervention.
This legal framework reflects a balance between federal authority and local governance autonomy in D.C., where Congress retains significant oversight due to the city’s unique status. The deployment of National Guard troops and the takeover of the MPD by the federal government remains a contentious issue, with many questioning the need for such drastic measures and the potential implications for civil liberties.
[1] Home Rule Act of 1973 [2] Presidential Emergency Powers Act [3] District of Columbia Home Rule Act [4] Congressional Research Service Report [5] Congressional Research Service Report
Read also:
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Commemoration of 200 Days of American Resurgence Unveiled
- Minister Bärbel Bas expresses doubts about her tenure as a minister following a recent interview during the summer.
- Trump's enforcement actions in Washington D.C.: Insights from the political arena
