Trump Deploys National Guard to Washington, Takes Control of Local Police

President Donald Trump announced the deployment of 800 National Guard troops to Washington and the federal takeover of the city's police department, citing a need to "rescue" the nation's capital from crime, violence, and perceived chaos. Trump signed two executive orders, one invoking Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to allow the federal government to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department, and a presidential memorandum directing Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to deploy National Guard troops and authorize coordination with other governors.

As part of this effort, Trump declared a public safety emergency in Washington, with Attorney General Pam Bondi taking command of the Metropolitan Police Department and DEA Administrator Terry Cole serving as interim federal commissioner. Trump also stated that he would make "notifications" to Congress and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser about the moves.

Trump's actions come after a series of violent incidents in Washington, including an attempted carjacking and a fatal shooting outside a downtown museum. However, the Justice Department reported a 35% decrease in total violent crime in the capital for 2024, with crime rates at their lowest in over 30 years.

Despite this, Trump argued that Washington was plagued by rising crime and violence, and that his deployments were necessary to "clean up" the city. Trump also claimed that the homeless population in D.C. needed to be removed "immediately" and stated that his administration had already begun removing unhoused individuals from parks and other public spaces.

Key Takeaways:

• Trump deployed 800 National Guard troops to Washington, citing a need to crack down on crime and violence in the nation's capital.
• Trump invoked Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to allow the federal government to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department.
• Attorney General Pam Bondi will take command of the Metropolitan Police Department, with DEA Administrator Terry Cole serving as interim federal commissioner.
• Trump declared a public safety emergency in Washington and claimed that the homeless population needed to be removed "immediately."
• Crime rates in Washington have decreased by 35% in 2024, with crime levels at their lowest in over 30 years, according to the Justice Department.
• Trump's actions have been widely criticized by local officials, including Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois.
• Trump's deployments are seen as an attempt to create chaos and uncertainty, as well as to distract from other issues like Jeffrey Epstein's papers.

Statistics:

• 800 National Guard troops were deployed to Washington.
• Crime rates in Washington decreased by 35% in 2024, according to the Justice Department.
• Crime levels in Washington are at their lowest in over 30 years, according to the Metropolitan Police Department.
• 450 officers from 18 agencies were deployed to high-traffic areas and other hot spots in Washington over the weekend.
• 19-year-old Edward Coristine was assaulted in an attempted carjacking on Aug. 3.
• Two Israeli Embassy staffers were fatally shot outside a downtown museum on May 21.

Sources:

• "President Trump Announces Historic Action to Rescue Our Nation's Capital" by President Donald Trump, August 11
• "Trump Signs Executive Orders to Take Control of DC Police Department" by Joe Warminski, August 11
• "Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser Pushes Back Against Trump's Claims of Rising Crime" by Josh Meyer, August 10
• "Justice Department Reports Decrease in Violent Crime in Washington" by Joey Garrison, January 3
• "Trump's Idea of Federalizing DC Police Force Ignores Reality, Senator Says" by Cybele Mayes-Osterman, August 11