Trump Declares Crime Emergency in Washington, D.C.

President Donald Trump has declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. As part of the emergency response, 800 National Guard troops have been deployed to the city, with 200 specifically assigned to assist local law enforcement. Attorney General Pam Bondi and DEA Administrator Terry Cole have been tasked with working alongside the Metropolitan Police Department to address the city’s safety challenges. The Washington Police Union has expressed support for the federal intervention, citing critical staffing shortages and management issues within the department. However, Mayor Muriel Bowser has criticized the move as “unsettling and unprecedented,” while reiterating her support for Washington statehood. Despite a 35% decline in violent crime in 2024 compared to the previous year, including a 12% drop in homicides and a 28% decrease in robberies, the city has long struggled with one of the highest homicide rates per capita in the U.S. Trump described Washington, D.C., as “one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the world” and referred to the federal action as the city’s “Liberation Day” from crime and chaos. The president has also proposed holding juveniles as young as 14 accountable for serious crimes, calling for stricter sentencing laws. Critics argue that such measures could disproportionately impact minority communities, but supporters argue that accountability fosters integrity and responsibility among young offenders. The federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s police department is a rare exercise of federal authority under Article I, Section 8, Clause 17 of the Constitution, which grants Congress control over the District of Columbia. The move has been framed as a necessary step to ensure public safety and maintain order ahead of major events and summits frequently hosted in the nation’s capital.

Published: 8/15/2025