Federal Government Takes Control of City Police... National Guard Deployed
Trump Declares "Liberation Day for D.C." at Press Conference
Critics Point to "Tightened Control Over the Deep Blue Capital"
On August 11 (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump announced that the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department would be placed under federal control and that the National Guard would be deployed. Declaring a "war on crime" and vowing to crack down hard on homelessness and crime, Trump’s move is being interpreted by some as an attempt to assert control over the nation’s capital, a traditional Democratic stronghold.
During a press conference at the White House that morning, addressing crime eradication and urban beautification measures for Washington D.C., President Trump declared, "Today is the day of liberation for Washington D.C., and we will take back our capital," as he announced the related measures. He went on to say, "We will deploy the National Guard to reestablish law and order and public safety in Washington D.C.," adding, "They will be allowed to carry out their mission appropriately."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi were also present at the press conference, lending support to this hardline approach.
This action was prompted directly by a recent assault incident. On August 3, after Edward Coristine, an employee of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), was attacked by a group of youths in downtown Washington D.C., President Trump had already signaled his intention to intervene directly in the capital’s public safety.
The United States consists of 50 states and Washington D.C., and local police departments are under the jurisdiction of state governments or the city of Washington D.C. In recognized emergency situations, the president can order the mayor of Washington D.C. to temporarily transfer police control. However, President Trump, citing the deterioration of public safety in the capital, has announced that the federal government will directly control the police. This authority can be maintained for up to 30 days and extended with congressional approval. Previously, in June, President Trump had deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles, California, in response to protests against crackdowns on undocumented immigrants. According to foreign media reports, this measure is expected to result in the large-scale deployment of both National Guard troops and additional police forces to Washington D.C.
President Trump emphasized, "Our capital has been taken over by violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, roaming bands of unruly youths, drug-fueled lunatics, and the homeless," adding, "We will no longer allow this to happen."
However, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, as of January this year, the violent crime rate in Washington D.C. had fallen to its lowest level in 30 years. Consequently, some analysts suggest that President Trump’s declaration of a war on crime is a pretext for strengthening political control over Washington D.C., where Democratic support is strong.
The U.S. political news outlet Politico pointed out, "Last year, Washington D.C.'s crime rate hit a 30-year low, but President Trump has recently depicted the city as a dangerous place, vowing that crime, savagery, filth, and trash will disappear." The outlet added, "This move is aimed at tightening control over the overwhelmingly Democratic 'deep blue' capital and further expanding federal power."
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