President Donald Trump initiated action to address rising crime rates in Washington D.C. This action is part of a broader strategy to tackle crime in the city, involving federal oversight of the local police and the deployment of National Guard personnel.
Following the announcement of federal control over the Washington police, the Pentagon confirmed on Thursday that all 800 National Guard troops dispatched to Washington D.C. are now fully operational. These troops are actively involved in efforts to reduce criminal activity.
What prompted the National Guard deployment?
President Trump declared a crime emergency in the nation’s capital on August 11th, vowing to restore safety to the city’s streets. The deployment of the National Guard is a direct response to this commitment. The National Guard is playing a key role, collaborating with federal and local law enforcement agencies to enforce existing laws and remove violent offenders from the streets.
Trump emphasized the importance of securing the capital, stating, “I believe there is no more important job for this department than to ensure the safety of our nation’s capital, working alongside federal law enforcement partners and local police.”
Duration of the Deployment
Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson clarified that all 800 Army and Air Force Guard members are deployed as part of Joint Task Force DC and are now stationed in the capital. Wilson explained that the National Guard will “assist the DC Metropolitan Police Department and federal law enforcement colleagues in securing monuments, community safety patrols, federal facilities and officers,” and at traffic control checkpoints. He added that the Guard’s presence will continue until the President determines that law and order have been fully restored in the district.
Number of Individuals Affected
The President announced the National Guard deployment on Monday. While some conservatives have expressed support for the move, critics have pointed to data from the DC Metropolitan Police, indicating a decline in violent crimes, including homicides and assaults, in 2024.
This is the first instance since 1965 that a President has deployed the National Guard against the wishes of a state governor. Typically, the National Guard operates under the authority of state governors and must be “federalized” to come under presidential control. However, the National Guard in Washington already reports directly to the U.S. President. The White House reported 45 arrests in Washington overnight, including 29 individuals residing in the country illegally. More than 1,650 individuals are now participating in the law enforcement operation.
On Thursday, Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson clarified that while the National Guard will assist in law enforcement, including temporary detentions, they will not have arrest powers.