Trump Administration Cracks Down on D.C. Sanctuary Policies, Deploying National Guard and Federal Agents

Strategic Insights -

Pam Bondi, the Attorney General appointed by President Trump, has issued a directive to end D.C. sanctuary policies, a move that comes amid a broader crackdown on the city. In a statement, Bondi spokesperson Chad Gilmartin said that the directive rescinds an executive order signed by Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith that allowed officers to assist federal immigration authorities. This order was enforced, according to Gilmartin, despite it preventing arrests solely for federal immigration warrants. The action also directs the MPD to enforce a section of the D.C. Code that prohibits obstructing streets and engaging in unlawful demonstrations.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration has deployed hundreds of national guard troops and federal law enforcement to D.C. as part of a broader crackdown on the city.
  • Pam Bondi, the Attorney General appointed by Trump, has ordered an end to D.C. sanctuary policies, rescinding an executive order that allowed officers to assist federal immigration authorities.
  • The directive appoints Drug Enforcement Administrator Terry Cole as "emergency police commissioner," granting him the powers of the police chief.
  • The move aims to crack down on immigration and crime in the city, with Bondi's office citing the need to "FULLY ENFORCE" laws that prohibit obstructing streets and engaging in unlawful demonstrations.
  • The D.C. mayor's office has not commented on the directive.
  • This marks the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to target undocumented immigrants, including plans to use traffic stops to target them.

Statistics:

  • Hundreds of national guard troops have been deployed to D.C. as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on the city.
  • The directive rescinds an executive order signed by Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith, which allowed officers to assist federal immigration authorities.
  • The section of the D.C. Code that prohibits obstructing streets and engaging in unlawful demonstrations has been enforced through a general order for MPD, which was rescinded in October 2023.
  • According to the directive, the MPD is directed to "FULLY ENFORCE" this section of the law.

Sources:

  • Axios: "https://www.axios.com/2025/08/14/trump-dc-federal-agent-sandwich-assault-charge"
  • Axios: "https://www.axios.com/2025/08/14/trump-dc-national-guard-fbi-crackdown"
  • Axios: "https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/08/12/trump-dc-crime-national-guard-federalize-police-plan"
  • Axios: "https://x.com/ChadGilmartinCA/status/1956162781679640832"
  • Axios: "https://go.mpdconline.com/GO/EO_25_005.pdf"
  • Axios: "https://www.axios.com/politics-policy/immigration"
  • Axios: "https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/05/28/dc-mayor-seeks-repeal-of-sanctuary-city-law"
  • Axios: "https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/08/14/dc-police-checkpoints-traffic-stops-ice"
  • Axios: "https://www.axios.com/2025/08/14/trump-immigration-traffic-stops-police"