Politics at a National Level | National-scale Political Affairs

Politics at a National Level | National-scale Political Affairs

Federal Law Enforcement Increases Presence in Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump has increased the federal law enforcement presence on the streets of Washington, D.C., in a bid to combat rising crime rates in the city. This move comes as part of a public safety emergency, which includes temporary federal control of the D.C. police force.

The increased presence started in early August 2025, with multiple federal agencies involved, including the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, and U.S. Capitol Police, as part of the "Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force."

Trump has announced plans to seek a long-term extension of federal control over the D.C. police force beyond the current 30-day emergency authorization, which would require congressional approval. He also intends to request additional funding to improve public safety and infrastructure in D.C.

The White House justifies this move by citing rising violent crime rates that they claim have made the city unsafe and disruptive to federal operations. However, D.C. officials oppose this intervention, with D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton planning to reintroduce legislation to repeal the President’s authority to federalize D.C. police and to restore mayoral control over the D.C. National Guard.

Last weekend, there was an assault on a high-profile member of the Department of Government Efficiency by a group of teenagers in an attempted carjacking. Edward Coristine, nicknamed "Big Balls," was the victim of the assault. He was among the most visible figures of DOGE, which was tasked with cutting jobs and slashing the federal bureaucracy.

The increased law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C. is in response to this assault and Trump's concerns about crime and violence in the city. Trump has threatened to take federal control of Washington, D.C., or bring in the National Guard if the city does not address crime and violence.

The added federal officials will be identified, in marked units and highly visible. The police forces for Amtrak and the city's Metro rail service are also involved in the increased law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C.

The White House has announced an increased presence of federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C. for at least the next week. Police have arrested two 15-year-olds in connection with the assault, and are still looking for other members of the group.

Despite the recent spike in crime, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser's government has reduced the number of homicides and carjackings in the city. Carjackings have spiked citywide in 2023, but overall dropped significantly in 2024, from 957 to just under 500, and the number is on track to decline again this year, with less than 200 recorded so far more than halfway through 2025.

The increased law enforcement is under the authority of Trump's previous executive order establishing the Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force. The current status is that President Donald Trump has increased federal law enforcement presence on Washington, D.C. streets to combat violent crime and declared a public safety emergency, which includes temporary federal control of the D.C. police force.

Regarding the Home Rule Act of 1973, which grants D.C. local self-governance and limits federal control, there is currently no formal repeal effort reported, but Trump’s push for longer federal control over local policing effectively challenges the autonomy established by the Act. Norton's legislative efforts seem aimed at preserving D.C.’s Home Rule authority.

1. Concerned about rising crime rates, President Donald Trump has bolstered federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C., as part of a public safety emergency.
2. The increased police presence involves multiple federal agencies, including the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, and U.S. Capitol Police, under the "Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force."
3. Trump intends to extend federal control over the D.C. police force beyond the 30-day emergency period, but this move faces opposition from D.C. officials who are advocating for restoring mayoral control.
4. The recent assault on Edward Coristine, a high-profile member of the Department of Government Efficiency, has heightened concerns about crime and violence in the city, leading to threats of further federal intervention.
5. The expanded law enforcement presence is focused on addressing crime and violence, with law enforcement officials from Amtrak and the city's Metro rail service participating as well. However, despite the increased presence, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser's government has managed to reduce homicide and carjacking rates.

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