In a significant escalation of federal involvement in local law enforcement, President Donald Trump has deployed the National Guard to Washington D.C. Trump’s latest move is aimed directly at the nation’s capital — crime, he says, is “out of control” there. This new rule goes straight to the heart of Mr. This unprecedented action allows the president to take direct control of the police department for the first time, utilizing a clause from a law enacted in 1973 that outlines the city’s governing structure.
The National Guard’s arrival on the National Mall late Tuesday was an unexpected milestone in this tempestuous chapter of local governance. The White House stated that this deployment aims “to promote public safety and arrest violent offenders,” while seeking to “protect federal assets, provide a safe environment for law enforcement officers to make arrests, and deter violent crime with a visible law enforcement presence.”
As part of this crackdown, agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Department of Homeland Security have been seen patrolling various neighborhoods. These federal agents were frequently joined on the ground by local police. There are reports of arrests for other infractions, including a DUI arrest, unlawful entry, and resisting arrest. One person was arrested due to an outstanding warrant for assault with a deadly weapon. In the process, authorities seized seven illegal guns with yet to be determined connections to the shootings.
Even the usually sanguine Democratic Mayor of D.C., Muriel Bowser, is raising hell. She’s increasingly concerned about the implications of federal intrusion into local affairs given this backstory. At a recent social media town hall, she told residents to keep their eyes open. She pushed them to consider what this intervention could mean in the long term.
“To protect our city, to protect our autonomy, to protect our home rule and get to the other side of this guy and make sure we elect a Democratic House so that we have a backstop to this authoritarian push,” – Muriel Bowser
Bowser’s comments reflect a growing alarm among local officials about the potential overreach of federal powers into D.C.’s governance. Washington D.C. lacks voting representation in Congress, which complicates its governance and raises concerns about federal lawmakers’ influence over laws passed by the city council.
Crime in Washington D.C. has fallen precipitously. Last year, they reached their lowest levels in three decades, even with the war still raging. As recent as August, reports showed that this extreme level of violent crime in D.C. is much higher than similar cities. As legal analyst and former prosecutor Jeanine Pirro pointed out, that’s not the point. She lamented that youthful offenders have grown “emboldened” to commit mayhem all over the city.
“Young criminals have been emboldened to think they can get away with committing crime in this city, and very often they do. But together with our local and federal partners, our message to them today is: we will identify you, prosecute you and convict you,” – Jeanine Pirro
Trump’s actions come alongside his controversial stance on various issues, including his refusal to release documents related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, with whom he has a history of friendship. This refusal speaks to a troubling lack of transparency and accountability at the top-most levels of leadership.
Earlier this year, Trump ordered U.S. Marines and federalized National Guard into Los Angeles to quell protests sparked by his immigration policies. The decisions taken by Trump reflect a consistent approach where he actively engages federal resources to address perceived crises.
Brian Schwalb, D.C.’s Attorney General, underscored the importance of upholding the rights of District citizens. He focused on the need to protect them during these expansions.
“We are considering all of our options and will do what is necessary to protect the rights and safety of District residents,” – Brian Schwalb
As the battle escalates between local public servants and Washington politicians, things are still unfolding. Here are just a few ways that, by choosing policy over public safety, Trump is endangering Americans. In particular, they raise critical questions about governance and autonomy in Washington D.C.