In a surprising news conference on Monday, President Donald Trump outlined an initiative to seize control of the Washington, D.C. police department and deploy National Guard troops to address what he characterized as an escalating crime crisis. This statement is particularly contentious given that statistics indicate a decrease in crime rates in the nation’s capital.
“We’re here for a very serious purpose. Very serious, very,” Trump declared. “Something’s out of control. But we’re going to put it in control very quickly, like we did on the southern border. I’m announcing a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor and worse. This is Liberation Day in D.C., and we’re going to take our capital back.”
The President stated that he was declaring a public safety emergency, which would allow for federal oversight of the Metropolitan Police Department. He announced that Attorney General Pam Bondi would lead the department, while DEA Administrator Terry Cole would serve as interim federal commissioner.
Standing alongside key government officials including Bondi, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Trump conveyed his determination to combat crime in D.C.
“Let me be crystal clear. Crime in D.C. is ending and ending today. We are going to use every power we have to fight criminals here,” Bondi stressed.
Secretary Hegseth confirmed the deployment of 800 National Guardsmen as part of the initiative and noted that their role would be proactive, similar to previous deployments in response to civil unrest. He warned that there would be consequences for any aggressive actions directed towards the guardsmen.
Trump painted a grim picture of the current state of the capital, alleging it has been overrun by violent gangs, “bloodthirsty criminals,” and homeless individuals. He claimed that local police have been rendered ineffective, stating, “now they are allowed to do whatever the hell they want.”
Contrary to the President’s assertions, data from Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department suggests that crime overall has decreased by 7% year-to-date compared to the previous year, with violent crime down 26% and property crime reduced by 5%.
Addressing the issue of homelessness, Trump noted plans to dismantle homeless encampments in D.C., asserting that parks have become less accessible due to unsightly conditions. “They’ve been very, very dirty, very — got a lot of problems. But we’ve already started that. We’re moving the encampments away, trying to take care of people. Some of those people, we don’t know how they even got there. And some of those people are from different countries, different parts of the world. Nobody knows who they are. They have no idea.”
He emphasized that the presence of homeless individuals in public spaces was unacceptable, claiming, “If our capital is dirty, our whole country is dirty and they don’t respect us.”
In reaction to Trump’s announcement, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, expressed his intent to introduce a resolution aimed at reversing what he termed a “plainly ridiculous” state of emergency and to restore local governance rights for D.C. residents.
Mayor Muriel Bowser of Washington D.C., a Democrat, responded to the news conference later on Monday, highlighting that the city is experiencing a 30-year low in violent crime rates. She remarked, “this action today is unsettling and unprecedented, but I can’t say that we’re totally surprised given some of the rhetoric of the past.”
Trump utilized multiple social media posts to promote the news conference, emphasizing not only safety but also the need for cleanliness and improvement of the nation’s capital. This was reinforced by a specific social media statement saying, “The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”
The announcement of this measure followed a previous executive order signed by Trump that directed an increase in law enforcement presence in D.C. as part of an overarching plan to enhance public safety.
A White House official characterized this initiative as a “whole of government approach to improve overall public safety.”
Trump stated that law enforcement efforts would focus on high-traffic tourist areas and other known hotspots, with plans for distinguishing federal officers through marked units to enhance visibility.
In the wake of his action, Trump criticized Mayor Bowser, noting her failures in addressing crime rates. “The Mayor of D.C., Muriel Bowser, is a good person who has tried, but she has been given many chances, and the Crime Numbers get worse, and the City only gets dirtier and less attractive. The American Public is not going to put up with it any longer,” he asserted.
In her defense, Bowser acknowledged the increase in crime during 2023 but stated, “this is not 2023, this is 2025,” noting significant progress made by working collaboratively with the community and federal partners to reduce crime.
In a prior public address, Trump labeled Washington D.C. “one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World,” suggesting the need for a stronger federal response.
Trump’s call to action was further fueled by the recent attack on Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency employee who was assaulted while intervening in a carjacking.
The newly announced law enforcement operation will encompass participation from a multitude of agencies, including U.S. Park Police, Metro Transit Police, and the FBI, among others.
The apparent urgency of Trump’s plan raises questions about the balance of governance in the District of Columbia, as federal intervention brings forth debates about local autonomy and community relations.
As the situation develops, both supporters and critics await to see the implications of what the President has termed a necessary arrangement for the safety and wellbeing of the nation’s capital.
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