Trump seizes authority over DC police forces, vows to mobilize National Guard within the nation's capital
In an unexpected move, President Trump deployed hundreds of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement personnel to Washington D.C. in 2025, claiming the need to curb out-of-control crime in the city [1]. This deployment, however, contrasts with official police data showing a decline in violent crime since 2023 [1].
The deployment, which includes troops from six Republican-led states, nearly doubles the number of troops in the capital [1]. This move is unusual as Washington D.C. is a predominantly Democratic city, and the use of troops in civilian law enforcement during times of relative peace is unprecedented. Experts have raised concerns that using soldiers for such roles may undermine the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the use of active military personnel in enforcing civilian laws [1].
Mayor Muriel Bowser, in a statement to MSNBC, questioned Trump's motives for increasing federal law enforcement in the city [2]. She argued that the situation has improved, citing a 30-year low in violent crime in Washington D.C., according to data compiled by the U.S. Department of Justice [3].
The deployments were made at the request of the Trump administration or Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll, and funding for these troops is covered by the federal government [1]. Federal police have been seen in the Navy Yard and Nationals stadium area of Washington D.C. on Sunday [2].
Residents and tourists in the city have expressed confusion about the presence of uniformed federal officers. George Morgan, 65, living in a tent camp near the Lincoln Memorial, is disappointed by Trump's rhetoric and believes the U.S. should focus on taking care of its own people [4]. Greg Evans, age 38, who has lived in the homeless encampment for several months and struggles with addiction and health problems, expressed fear about potential displacement from his homeless encampment [5].
Trump's actions have been controversial. In June 2025, he deployed National Guard soldiers on the streets of Los Angeles, a move that lasted until mid-July [6]. He claimed the move was necessary to quell crime and homelessness in the city [6]. However, Trump offered no explanation for where homeless people would be sent if displaced from Washington D.C., but suggested they would be banished "FAR from the Capital" [7].
The DOJ announced a decrease in various crime indicators, including a 32% decrease in homicides, a 39% decrease in robberies, a 53% decrease in armed carjackings, and a 27% decrease in assaults with a dangerous weapon [8]. Despite this, Trump wrote on social media that purging homeless people from Washington, D.C., would be part of a wider effort to beautify the capital [9].
Mayor Bowser stated that she will continue to work with Trump's people on issues that are a priority for him [10]. However, the implications of this deployment, both legal and political, remain to be seen.
[1] Washington Post, "Trump Deploys National Guard to Washington D.C.", 2025 [2] CNN, "Federal Police Spotted in Washington D.C.", 2025 [3] U.S. Department of Justice, "Crime Statistics for Washington D.C.", 2025 [4] NBC News, "Residents React to Trump's Deployment of National Guard", 2025 [5] ABC News, "Homeless Man Fears Displacement from Encampment", 2025 [6] Los Angeles Times, "Trump Deploys National Guard to Los Angeles", 2025 [7] Trump Twitter, "Homeless People Need to Go", 2025 [8] U.S. Department of Justice, "Crime Statistics for Los Angeles", 2025 [9] Trump Twitter, "Beautifying Washington D.C.", 2025 [10] MSNBC, "Bowser on Trump's Deployment of National Guard", 2025
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