Trump initiates National Guard dispatch in Washington D.C. to combat violence; slamming CDMX as one of the world's most dangerous cities
In an unprecedented move, President Donald Trump declared a public safety emergency in Washington D.C. on August 11, 2025. The declaration, made under Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, allows the president to place the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under federal control during "special conditions of an emergency nature."
The executive order put the D.C. police department under federal control for up to 30 days, with Attorney General Pam Bondi in charge of the MPD and Terrance “Terry” Cole appointed as interim MPD commissioner. The National Guard was also activated and deployed in the city, with about 30 troops initially on the ground, expected to increase in number. They were positioned in strategic sites like the National Mall and alongside federal and local police to help maintain law and order.
President Trump justified the emergency citing rising violent crime, homelessness, and disorder in the city, stating: "We’re going to take our capital back." However, local leaders and some reports noted that violent crime was actually at a 30-year low.
The order authorized federal use of the MPD and National Guard for protecting federal buildings, national monuments, and ensuring the orderly operation of the federal government in the capital. This move was controversial, seen by critics as a rare and aggressive federal intervention in local law enforcement, sparking protests and opposition from D.C. officials who argued Trump exaggerated the city's crime problems.
Additional federal law enforcement numbers tallied over 1,450 personnel including MPD officers, federal agents, and National Guard troops conducting patrols and arrests during the initial days following the declaration.
Trump also emphasized that the change in DC is not only about violence but also about beautification, aiming to make Washington D.C. the most beautiful capital in the world. Homeless people are being removed from parks and public places, and operations against criminal elements are already underway.
Trump has warned that he will send the army to Washington D.C. if necessary to enforce his orders to improve security in the city. He has also criticized the violence rate in Washington D.C., stating it is worse than in Mexico City, one of the worst places in the world.
In a bid to address the city's issues, Trump mentioned that the Capitol will not become a dump, as there are many places for the homeless to go. He also noted that the operations against criminal elements, against people who arrived illegally, and against "bad people who grew up here" will begin immediately. Since the weekend, operations against the "bad guys" have been initiated in Washington D.C., according to Trump.
The President has also mentioned that he will notify Congress of his decision to place Washington D.C. under federal control. U.S. Secretary of Defense has previewed the deployment of the National Guard in Washington D.C. within the next week.
References: 1. CNN 2. The Washington Post 3. The New York Times 4. USA Today 5. ABC News
- The emergency declaration by President Trump, citing rising crimes and disorder, placed the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under federal control, with the policy and legislation aspect implicating a significant shift in politics regarding war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice in Washington D.C.
- Despite escalating tensions and activating the National Guard, local leaders and certain reports contend that violent crime in the city is actually at a 30-year low, raising questions about the necessity and accuracy of the general news surrounding the emergency situation.
- While Trump emphasizes that the change in D.C. encompasses both safety and beautification, sports and sports-betting enthusiasts might find their attention diverted from their usual interests to the tumultuous situation unfolding in the capital.
- As the controversy surrounding this rare federal intervention in local law enforcement continues, political pundits and reporters across various sources like CNN, The Washington Post, The New York Times, USA Today, and ABC News are closely monitoring the situation, providing the public with extensive general news and analysis.
