DC residents oppose federal takeover of police

A Washington Post Schar School poll shows strong opposition to Trump’s plan to shift police control and deploy federal agents in the capital.

DC residents oppose federal takeover of police

A new poll conducted August 14–17 surveyed 604 DC residents. It finds 79 percent oppose the order to hand over city police control to the federal government and 17 percent in support. Seventy-one percent say the federal presence will not reduce violent crime, and 61 percent of those who noticed the increased federal presence feel less safe as a result. The findings diverge from official talking points, which have framed the move as improving safety. Majorities favor policies like stricter gun laws and more targeted outreach to reduce crime. The poll also shows local politics at play: Mayor Muriel Bowser is viewed more favorably on policing than on other issues, while President Trump’s approval in the District sits at around 15 percent overall.

Crime perceptions have shifted since spring, with 31 percent calling crime an extremely or very serious problem now, down from 50 percent earlier this year, while 54 percent say the crime problem is improving. About one-third of residents (35 percent) say someone close has been a crime victim in the past five years, and among them, support for the federal move is notably higher at 34 percent. Bowser’s rating remains around 53 percent, with police seen as doing a good or excellent job by 54 percent of residents. The survey was conducted via live phone interviews and online responses with a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percentage points.

Viewed through a local lens, the numbers underscore a persistent tension between federal strategy and daily lived experience in the nation’s capital, highlighting a political fault line over security, policing, and civil liberties.

The poll exposes a gulf between political narrative and real life in DC. Residents judge safety by what they experience, not by headlines from national officials. That creates pressure on local leaders to resist federal overreach while preserving trust in police and community programs. It also signals that any future debate on policing will be shaped by who residents believe can deliver everyday safety rather than by executive proclamations. The data suggest policymakers should pair enforcement with community investments to avoid a far broader backlash against federal actions in a city wary of encroachment on local governance.

Long term, the poll hints at a broader pattern: when crime framing shifts, so does public sentiment about safety and legitimacy. If federal actions are seen as temporary, public opinion may swing back toward skepticism about central control in favor of accountable local leadership. This could redefine how future administrations approach city policing and crisis response in politically sensitive urban centers.

Highlights

The question of who should police the city will keep shaping local politics and federal policy.