Trump Threatens Federal Takeover of Washington DC as Crime Levels Remain Lower than Previous Year
In a move aimed at bolstering law enforcement within Washington D.C., President Donald Trump is intensifying efforts to enhance security in the city, hinting at a potential federal takeover of the region. The plans involve deploying FBI agents onto the streets alongside local police forces, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The increased presence of federal officers follows Trump’s weekend deployment of up to 450 law enforcement personnel within the district, as reported by White House officials. Previously, the president had suggested the possibility of mobilizing the National Guard in response to escalating crime rates.
According to one source, approximately 130 FBI agents are set to join local police patrols as part of this heightened federal presence. Their primary responsibilities will include running checks on stolen vehicles and warrant statuses by conducting vehicle license plate scans across the city – a duty not typically undertaken by FBI agents in collaboration with local police forces.
On Monday morning, Trump announced plans for a press conference at 10 a.m. ET, promising that the event would significantly curb violent crime in Washington D.C. The president also emphasized his intent to transform the city into a safer and more aesthetically pleasing environment, suggesting that homeless individuals should relocate immediately while criminals will be imprisoned.
Trump’s statements regarding rising crime rates in the district have been met with controversy, as preliminary year-to-date crime comparisons from DC’s Metropolitan Police Department indicate a decrease in overall crime compared to last year. However, this trend follows the same trajectory of declining crime rates seen in major U.S. cities.
Local officials, including Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser, have largely remained deferential to the president amid his threats. In an interview with MSNBC, Bowser denied any significant increase in crime within the district while acknowledging her shared priorities with Trump regarding combating crime. Federal law enforcement agencies are expected to maintain their collaborative efforts with local authorities, as they have done in the past.
Bowser thanked federal law enforcement agencies for their ongoing cooperation and expects this collaboration to continue during the federal presence in Washington D.C. The mayor’s office and city-run police department work closely with numerous federal partners in planning and securing large events within the district, as well as in areas managed by agencies such as the US Park Police, Federal Protective Service, Secret Service, and Capitol Police.
Balancing these relationships while subtly pushing back on Trump’s repeated claims of rising crime in the city is reportedly Bowser’s strategy for managing the volatile president, whose focus on DC crime has fluctuated over time. The mayor has received praise from federal officials, including US Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro, who commended Bowser’s cooperation with federal agencies during a Fox News interview.
However, tensions have arisen in relation to the removal of Black Lives Matter Plaza, which was initially unveiled following the 2020 murder of George Floyd and subsequent protests. After Republicans in Congress threatened to withhold funding for the district if it kept the two-block mural, Bowser announced its removal in March. The mayor highlighted looming financial and existential crises faced by her city under Trump’s administration as the primary reason for this decision.
Throughout his second term, Trump has suggested a potential federal takeover of Washington D.C., stating that it should be governed with “law and order.” The president renewed his focus on crime in DC following an attempted carjacking incident involving Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency employee. In response, Trump hinted at taking over the Metropolitan Police Department and deploying the National Guard while also considering legislation to overturn DC Home Rule – a measure that would grant certain congressional powers related to the district’s governance to local government entities, including the mayor and city council.
Under DC Home Rule, the president can temporarily assume control of the city’s police department for 48 hours if he deems it necessary for federal purposes. To maintain control for a longer duration, Trump would need to notify the chairs and ranking members of relevant congressional committees, with any requests exceeding 30 days requiring legislative approval. While the president has the authority to enact these measures, passing legislation to fully take over governing Washington D.C. would likely face significant resistance in a tightly controlled Senate.