Federal control of DC police deployed

A move to place DC policing under federal control and surge national guard to the capital prompts questions about power, legality, and public safety.

Trump seizes control of Washington DC police and deploys national guard

President Donald Trump announced that the DC Metropolitan Police would come under federal control under a provision of the DC Home Rule Act and that the National Guard would be deployed to the city’s streets in the coming days. He described Washington as lawless and said officers would be allowed to act with broad latitude, declaring that they would be able to do what is needed to restore order. He added that a public safety emergency was in effect and that the attorney general would take command of the police department.

Officials also noted a weekend surge of federal officers from the Capitol Police, the Federal Protective Service and other agencies, aimed at stabilizing the city. During the briefing, Trump cited incidents near the White House and praised the steps as a lawful response to what he called a dangerous situation. At the same time, crime statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department show a long decline in violent crime over the past year, aligning with broader urban trends as cities reduce violence from pandemic highs.

The move tests the traditional balance of power between federal and local authorities. If the arrangement lasts beyond the 30 days allowed without Congress action, it could set a precedent for federal intervention in city policing. The decision also frames security as a political signal in a tense national moment, with potential legal challenges and public backlash from communities suspicious of federal overreach. The homelessness policy angle adds another layer, as federal rhetoric ties safety measures to housing enforcement and encampment removals, complicating governance and civil liberties discussions.

Highlights

The coming days will reveal how far this approach can be sustained without broader consensus.