Trump announces taking control of Washington police under federal jurisdiction and activating the National Guard
In a move that has generated significant controversy, President Trump has announced a plan to take over the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and activate 800 members of the National Guard.
The President's plan involves invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which allows him to control the police department for up to 30 days, with possible extensions if Congress approves. The DEA head, Terry Cole, has been appointed as the MPD commissioner, and Attorney General Pam Bondi will assume control over the department.
Trump's plan is framed as a crackdown on crime and lawlessness in the district. He has declared a "crime emergency" and signed an executive order and a presidential memorandum to authorise these actions. Notifications have been sent to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and congressional leaders as required by law.
Regarding homelessness and crime, Trump's plan includes clearing encampments of unhoused people, which he ties to crime control efforts. He also targets bail reform policies, vowing to maintain cash bail in D.C., Chicago, and New York, arguing that bail reform contributes to rising crime, contrary to evidence.
Trump further calls for legislative changes to try children as young as 14 as adults and tougher sentencing. His actions are aimed at dismantling what he describes as "soft-on-crime" policies that he claims have emboldened criminals.
Mayor Bowser and others have criticised the plan as a political stunt and a federal overreach undermining D.C.'s autonomy and public safety efforts. The controversy arises due to the district's unique status and crime trends that do not support the claimed epidemic.
Washington's crime rate was at historic 30-year lows last year and is down an additional 26% this year, according to reports. Trump's plan to remove homeless encampments in Washington has been met with criticism, with no clear details provided on relocation.
About 500 federal law enforcement officers, including more than 100 FBI agents and about 40 agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, are being tasked with patrolling Washington as part of Trump's effort to combat crime. Police statistics show homicides, robberies, and burglaries are down this year compared to 2024. Overall, violent crime is down 26% compared to this time last year.
The move reflects an escalation of Trump's aggressive approach to law enforcement. Critics argue that the plan undermines D.C.'s autonomy and public safety efforts, while advocates for homeless people see it as a waste of resources. The legality of Trump's actions has been questioned, with District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb calling them illegal and unprecedented.
This plan, unprecedented in its scope, has generated significant controversy and debate, with many questioning its necessity and legality, particularly given the district's unique status and crime trends.
- Amidst the ongoing debate, the legality and necessity of President Trump's unprecedented plan to take control of the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and combat war-and-conflicts such as crime and lawlessness has become a topic of intense Politics.
- The controversial decision to invoke Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act and appoint the DEA head, Terry Cole, as MPD commissioner, along with Attorney General Pam Bondi taking control, has been criticized as general-news regarding federal overreach and undermining D.C.'s autonomy in the sphere of crime-and-justice.
