U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday ordered 800 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and temporarily assumed control of the city’s police force, bypassing local officials.
Trump said the action was needed to rescue the capital from “violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals,” despite data showing violent crime has dropped sharply since a 2023 surge. Federal figures indicate a 35% decline in 2024 and a further 26% drop so far in 2025.
The Republican president invoked a section of the District’s Home Rule Act allowing federal takeover of the police for 30 days in an “emergency.” The decision sparked pushback from Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser, who disputed Trump’s crime claims but pledged to cooperate with federal forces.
Attorney General Pam Bondi will oversee the city’s police, while Guard troops will provide logistical support and maintain a visible law enforcement presence. Between 100 and 200 troops will be active at a time, the U.S. Army said.
This is the second time this summer Trump has sent troops to a Democrat-led city, following a June deployment to Los Angeles without state approval—a move now under legal challenge. He warned Chicago could be next.
Critics say Trump’s rhetoric and actions echo his campaign’s law and order platform, often aimed at cities with large Black populations. Meanwhile, advocates raised concerns about his vow to remove homeless encampments without clear relocation plans.
The president’s move comes as his administration reduces federal security funding for the National Capital Region by 44% this year, even as it expands direct federal control over local policing.
REUTERS/S.S