Trump's recent wave of criminal arrests in Washington D.C. surpasses 100 suspects apprehended as part of his new crime crackdown in the district.
President Donald Trump has taken a bold step in addressing the rising violent crime in Washington, D.C., by federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and deploying approximately 800 National Guard troops to patrol the city's streets. This move, authorized by the Home Rule Act for a limited 30-day emergency period, aims to combat the surge in crime that threatens federal operations and public safety in the capital.
The federalization of the MPD, as commanded by a 2025 executive order, temporarily places the local police under federal control. This order also calls for the deployment of combat-ready National Guard troops, some in military Humvees, which critics argue may be untrained for policing and symbolize federal overreach and militarization of city streets.
The arrests made as part of this crackdown have been significant. On Tuesday alone, 43 individuals were arrested, including one for suspected homicide, seven related to narcotics charges, 33 for alleged firearm offenses, 10 related to warrants, and the arrests of 23 illegal immigrants. As of Wednesday morning, a total of 103 individuals have been arrested since Aug. 7.
Among the arrests, one notable incident involved Department of Homeland Security and U.S. marshal personnel performing a traffic stop on Aug. 12, 2025, resulting in the arrest of an individual due to expired tags and no driver's license.
Hundreds of National Guard members and federal law enforcement departments such as the FBI, DEA, US Capitol Police, and ATF are assisting with the law and order crackdown in the city. The White House expects the number of National Guard troops on the ground to dramatically increase on Wednesday evening.
The Trump administration's move has faced opposition from D.C. officials, including a lawsuit alleging the federalization violates the Home Rule Act and constitutes an abuse of power. Local leaders and legal experts contest the legality of extending federal control beyond the initial 30 days, should progress not be made.
The crime wave in Washington, D.C. has been marked by shootings, carjackings, shoplifting crimes, attacks on government employees, and other violent incidents. However, Democrat lawmakers and local leaders argue that crime has fallen in recent years.
Despite the controversy, FBI Director Kash Patel has backed Trump's police takeover, stating, "When you let good cops be cops, they deliver." The National Guard troops are allowed to do their job properly under the current situation, ensuring the safety and security of the city's residents.
This crackdown reflects Trump's broader approach of exerting federal authority over Democratic-led cities to address crime, though it is widely criticized as an authoritarian overreach with significant legal, political, and racial ramifications.
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