Sign in Subscribe
Trump, Donald

Trump Takes Over Washington's Police Department, Activating 800 National Guard Members

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Donald Trump declared a public safety emergency in Washington on Monday, taking over the city's police department and activating 800 members of the National Guard in an effort to reduce crime. The president, flanked by his attorney general, defence secretary, and FBI director, said he would also be removing homeless encampments and getting rid of "slums." Trump's actions reflect an escalation of his aggressive approach to law enforcement, but city officials stressed that crime is already falling in the nation's capital.

Key Takeaways:

  • The District of Columbia's status as a congressionally established federal district gives Trump a unique opportunity to push his tough-on-crime agenda.
  • Trump invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in an executive order to declare a "crime emergency" and take over the city's police force.
  • Attorney General Pam Bondi will assume responsibility for Washington's Metropolitan Police Department, but Trump is limited to 30 days under statute unless he gets approval from Congress.
  • Local officials, including District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb and Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, rejected Trump's depiction of the district as crime-ridden and called his actions illegal and unconstitutional.
  • Violent crime in Washington has reached historic 30-year lows last year and is down an additional 26 per cent this year.
  • The president dismissed the idea that Washington needed to enlarge its 3,500-officer police force, even as he seeks to have more armed personnel going through the city with the goal of reducing crime.

Statistics:

  • 800 members of the National Guard have been activated to help reduce crime in Washington.
  • The city's police force has 3,500 officers.
  • Violent crime is down 26 per cent compared with this time a year ago.
  • Homicides, robberies, and burglaries are down this year compared with this time in 2023.
  • The president has pardoned or commuted the sentences of over 1,500 people charged with crimes in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, including people convicted of assaulting police officers.

Sources:

  • The Associated Press
  • Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act
  • Executive Order: Declaring a Public Safety Emergency in Washington
  • Interview with District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb
  • Interview with Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser

Read more