Trump orders the dispatch of the National Guard to Washington, sparking questioning.
In a move aimed at addressing escalating crime in Washington, DC, US President Donald Trump announced plans to take control of the city's police department and deploy the National Guard. The decision came following Trump's declaration of a 'public safety emergency' in the city on Monday, invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to declare a "crime emergency."
Trump's administration deployed 800 members of the National Guard in the nation's Capital, with 500 federal law enforcement officers tasked with patrolling the city. The Guard troops will be operating under Title 32, or "federal-state status" authority.
The President stated that his actions were necessary to "rescue" Washington from a purported wave of lawlessness, citing rising violent crime as a threat to public safety, federal workers, tourists, and the proper functioning of the federal government. He also expressed intentions to "getting rid of the slums" in Washington, DC, and remove homeless encampments from the city.
However, the move to wrest control from the city's police chief was met with controversy. Reports from mid-August 2025 suggest that the Trump administration's approach, which involved deploying the DC National Guard and Guard troops from other states, raised questions about the extent and legality of such federalization of local policing.
Despite Trump's claims, statistics from the city indicate that violent crime in DC has been rapidly declining since 2023. Homicides, robberies, and burglaries have all declined significantly, as reported by AP. In fact, city statistics show a 26% reduction in violent crime this year.
Trump's opposition, Attorney General Pam Bondi, will assume responsibility for Washington's metro police department, but the President has not provided a timeline for the control of the police department, with the statute limiting him to 30 days.
Trump declared, "We're going to take our capital back," emphasizing the urgency of his actions. However, he offered no evidence that violent crime is surging in Washington, DC. The controversy surrounding the federal takeover of the city's police department continues to unfold.
- The controversy surrounding Trump's decision to take control of the Washington, DC police department extends to the realm of policy-and-legislation, as questions have been raised about the legality of federalizing local policing.
- Trump's initiatives, such as deploying the National Guard and removing homeless encampments, highlight his interest in sports – specifically, cricket – as well as war-and-conflicts, given his aggressive approach to addressing rising crime.
- In the general-news sphere, Trump's pronouncements about rescuing Washington, DC from lawlessness and getting rid of slums have been met with skepticism, as statistics indicate a drop in violent crime, contradicting his claims.
