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Donald Trump is holding a campaign rally in Indiana, Pennsylvania, on September 23, 2024 — Reuters.
- Trump claims local police and prosecutors aren’t tough enough.
- He reports that at least 800 National Guardsmen will be deployed in Washington.
- Outside the White House, dozens of protesters are demonstrating against Trump’s decision.
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump announced on Monday that military and federal law enforcement agencies would be deployed to reduce violent crime in Washington, D.C., fulfilling his campaign promise to be a “law and order” leader.
Trump stated he would place the city’s Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and send the National Guard into the streets of the nation’s capital.
Washington, a predominantly Democratic city, faces accusations from Republicans of rising crime rates, homelessness, and financial mismanagement, though violent crimes have actually decreased.
“This is Liberation Day in D.C., and we’re going to take our capital back,” Trump declared.
A convicted felon who recently granted clemency to nearly 1,600 individuals involved in the January 2021 Capitol riot, Trump has criticized local police and prosecutors for not being stern enough.
He announced that 800 National Guardsmen—”and much more if necessary”—would be stationed in D.C., home to around 700,000 residents.
As Trump spoke at the White House, a small group of protesters gathered outside.
“There’s absolutely no need for the National Guard here,” said Elizabeth Critchley, a 62-year-old retiree carrying a sign that read “DC says freedom, not fascism.”
“It’s all show. Just a big theatrical act,” she added.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, among several officials accompanying Trump, said additional specialized National Guard units could also be deployed.
“They will be strong, tough, and stand with law enforcement,” Hegseth affirmed.
This new approach echoes Trump’s previous immigration policies that sealed the southern border amid mass deportations and his deployment of active-duty troops against protesters in Los Angeles.
Could New York and Chicago be next?
Trump told reporters he plans to extend this policy to other cities, specifically mentioning New York and Chicago.
Unlike most states, Washington operates under a unique relationship with the federal government that limits its autonomy and grants Congress significant control over local affairs.
Since the Home Rule Act of the 1970s, residents have elected a mayor and city council, but Congress still controls the city’s budget.
Data from D.C. police show a notable drop in violent crime during 2023 and 2024, although this follows a post-pandemic spike.
Ahead of the announcement, Trump posted on social media that he also intends to address homeless encampments, having signed an order last month making it easier to arrest homeless individuals.
He promised to provide “places to stay,” but “FAR from the Capital.” Trump also emphasized that criminal suspects would be jailed quickly and that the process would be expedited.
Federal law enforcement agencies have already increased their presence in the city after a former Department of Government Efficiency staffer was assaulted during a carjacking attempt.
“Last week, my administration sent 500 federal agents into the district, including FBI, ATF, DEA, Park Police, U.S. Marshals, Secret Service, and Homeland Security,” Trump said.
“Many nations don’t have anything like that… They’ve made dozens of arrests.”
A Gallup poll from October shows that 64% of Americans believe crime has risen in 2024, even though FBI data indicates the lowest levels of violent crime in over fifty years.
“Let me be crystal clear—crime in D.C. is ending, and it ends today,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.
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