Weekend arrests in DC highlighted by Bondi, sparks pushback from the mayor
In the nation's capital, a debate is unfolding over the presence of federal officers and National Guard troops in the city. Mayor Muriel Bowser has questioned the claim that the influx of these personnel has made Washington, D.C. safer, while Attorney General Pam Bondi has highlighted the results of the operation, citing over 400 arrests and the seizure of 21 illegal firearms.
However, Bowser has emphasized that National Guard troops cannot perform law enforcement duties. She has also raised concerns about the use of ICE agents, particularly regarding their wearing of masks. The Department of Homeland Security has stated that agents wear masks due to threats against federal agents.
The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is offering limited assistance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The MPD's statistics show that crime in the city was already decreasing from last year, with robbery down 46%, violent crime down 22%, and all crimes down 8%. The DC Police Union has reported these decreases, attributing them to the federal government's surge into the District.
A video of ICE agents arresting a delivery driver went viral on social media over the weekend, sparking further debate. The man in the video, Cristian Enrique Carias Torres, is an illegal alien from Venezuela who entered the U.S. in 2023 and has a final order of removal. Carias Torres has a long list of traffic crimes and currently has active warrants.
Advocates, including the ACLU of D.C., have decried the presence of the National Guard and federal agents in the city. They are monitoring the use of D.C. police and federal law enforcement to ensure the constitutional rights of the community are protected.
As the debate continues, more states are sending National Guard members to D.C. More specifically, troops from West Virginia, Ohio, and South Carolina are expected to increase the current mobilization of 877 Guard members. The specific state names of the six Republican-led states sending troops are not explicitly listed in the search results, but West Virginia is explicitly mentioned as sending 300 to 400 National Guardsmen at the U.S. government's request.
In the face of a $1 billion budget shortfall due to legislation that held the District to 2024 spending levels, the city's budget is under strain. Bowser has stated that her city's Metropolitan Police Department consistently seizes guns, a fact that may offer some reassurance to residents concerned about public safety.
Allison Pecorin contributed to this report.
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