Proposed Executive Order by Trump Sparks Demonstration Call in Washington
In an unprecedented move for U.S. history, President Donald Trump has placed the police in Washington D.C. under federal control in 2023. This decision marks a unique case as it is the first time a president has taken such action, with the National Guard troops from several Republican-led states being deployed to the district for law enforcement purposes during relative peace.
The initial deployment saw around 800 National Guard soldiers, with Trump ready to mobilize more forces if necessary. In the special case of the U.S. capital, the National Guard is directly under the president's command. However, without the consent of both chambers of Congress, this federal control can last for a maximum of 30 days, requiring a vote afterwards.
Experts have noted that this use of soldiers in civilian law enforcement challenges the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the use of active military personnel in domestic law enforcement roles. Prior deployments of Guard troops from other states to D.C. were generally in response to emergency civil unrest situations, not as a persistent, politically motivated federal law enforcement presence during peace times.
The deployment under Trump nearly doubled the number of Guard troops in D.C., with the stated purpose being to address crime concerns. However, local crime statistics show a decrease in reported offenses, with a nearly 25% drop in violent crimes compared to the same period last year.
The decision was made due to alleged rampant crime in the capital district of Washington. Trump posted photos of tents and litter on the side of the road on his Truth Social platform, urging the homeless to move out "IMMEDIATELY". Trump promised to provide accommodations for the homeless, but far away from the capital.
There seems to be little coordination with the Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser before Trump's announcement. The decree argues that the District of Columbia has one of the highest burglary and murder rates among major cities in the country. However, the prosecutor's office in the capital district reported that 2024 was the year with the fewest violent crimes in 30 years.
Protests are being mobilized against Trump's decision to place Washington's police under federal control and deploy soldiers in the U.S. capital. Dozens of protesters temporarily blocked traffic on a popular nightlife street in the city center, but larger protests did not materialize. The parliament is currently in the summer recess, which may lead to a special regulation giving Trump more time.
Despite the controversy, the National Guard, which belongs to the U.S. Army, can be placed under federal command in special situations such as natural disasters, riots, and internal emergencies. The U.S. president can place the local police of Washington under federal control for up to 48 hours without informing the parliament.
Trump has been stirring up sentiment against criminals and homeless people in Washington for weeks. The president's actions have sparked heated debates about the role of the federal government in local law enforcement and the limits of executive power. The unfolding events in Washington D.C. promise to be a significant chapter in the ongoing discussion about the balance of power in the U.S. government.
[1] Source: CNN and The Washington Post
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