- Local police and prosecutors are not tough enough, Trump says.
- Says at least 800 National Guardsmen to be deployed in Washington.
- Dozen stage protest against Trump’s decision outside the White House.
Washington: US President Donald Trump deployed military and federal law enforcement on Monday to limit violent crime in Washington as he seeks to do well with his campaign lift to be a “law and order” president.
The Republican leader said he would place the city’s Metropolitan policy under the control of the federal government, while also sending the National Guard on the streets of the US capital.
The overwhelming democratic city faces accusations of Republican politicians that it is exceeded by crime, plagued by homelessness and financially wrongly managed – though violent offenses are down.
“This is Liberation Day in DC and we take back our capital,” Trump said.
Trump – a convicted criminal who awarded the blanket Klemency to nearly 1,600 people involved in the 2021 -Capitol in Washington – has complained that local police and prosecutors are not tough enough.
He said that 800 DC National Guardsmen – “and much more if necessary” – would be deployed to the city 700,000.
When Trump spoke in the White House, several dozen protesters gathered outside.
“There is absolutely no need for the National Guard here,” said 62-year-old retiree Elizabeth Critchley, who branded a sign with the slogan “DC says freedom does not say fascism.”
“It’s all for a show. It’s just a big theater,” she said.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegeth, who was among several cabinet officials who flanked Trump, said “other specialized” national guard units could also be deployed.
“They will be strong, they will be tough and they will stand with their law enforcement partners,” he said.
The new approach repeats Trump’s immigration policy, which has effectively sealed the southern border in the midst of mass portions, while the inmates active troops against protesters in Los Angeles.
New York, Chicago Next?
The president told journalists that he was planning to roll out policy to other cities and highlight New York and Chicago.
Unlike the 50 states, Washington operates under a unique relationship with the federal government that limits its autonomy and gives Congress extraordinary control over local affairs.
Since the mid -1970s, the Home Rule Act has enabled residents to choose a mayor and a city council, even though Congress still controls the city’s budget.
Data from Washington police show significant drops in violent crime between 2023 and 2024, although it came to the back of a post-pandemic wave.
Trump posted on social media ahead of the news conference that he also wants to tackle homeless camp after signing an order last month, making it easier to arrest homeless.
He promised individuals “places to live” but “far from the capital.” Trump said criminals would be jailed and that it would all happen “very quickly.”
Federal Law enforcement has already increased their presence after a former employee of the government’s effectiveness was beaten during an attempt at carjacking.
“Last week, my administration rose 500 federal agents in the district, including from FBI, ATF, DEA, Park Police, US Marshals Service, The Secret Service and Department of Homeland Security,” Trump said.
“You know a lot of nations, they have nothing like it … they made dozens of arrests.”
A Gallup vote in October found that 64 percent of Americans thought crime had risen in 2024, although the FBI data shows the lowest levels of violent crime nationwide for more than half a century.
“Let me be crystal clear – DC crime ends, and it ends today,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.
