President Donald Trump revealed Wednesday his intention to seek congressional approval for long-term federal oversight of Washington DC's police force.
Trump's announcement comes as his administration claims credit for 43 arrests made during overnight operations involving federal agents and National Guard troops. According to The Guardian, the president signaled he expects other Democratic-controlled cities to modify their laws in response to his federal deployment strategy.
The president invoked an unprecedented clause this week, allowing temporary federal control of DC's police department for 30 days. He indicated plans to extend this authority well beyond the current statutory limit through new legislation.
Federal forces deploy across nation's capital
More than 1,450 officers participated in Tuesday evening's operation throughout Washington neighborhoods, with approximately half coming from the city's own police department. The deployment included officers from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Department of Homeland Security conducting arrests and traffic stops. Video footage captured by local media showed federal agents making arrests in Columbia Heights, an area with a significant Hispanic population.
Only 30 National Guard troops were deployed initially, though defense officials indicate roughly 800 are expected to arrive for the mission. White House officials promise a "significantly higher" presence of National Guard forces in the coming days. The administration plans round-the-clock federal agent patrols, expanding beyond the current evening-only operations.
Trump justified the federal intervention by citing what he calls an "out of control" crime problem in the nation's capital. Local officials strongly dispute this characterization, pointing to data showing crime rates dropped to three-decade lows last year.
Congressional approval needed for extension plans
Trump acknowledged during a Kennedy Center visit that congressional permission is required to extend federal police control beyond 30 days. The president expressed urgency about proposing crime legislation "very quickly," despite Congress remaining out of session until September 2nd. He suggested alternative pathways for maintaining control, stating, "If it's a national emergency, we can do it without Congress."
The federal intervention was triggered after a staffer with the "department of government efficiency" was attacked in an upscale entertainment district. Tuesday night's arrests included suspects for driving under influence, unlawful entry, resisting arrest, and an individual with an outstanding assault warrant. Seven illegal firearms were recovered during the operations, according to White House officials.
Metropolitan police data shows officers made 76 arrests citywide on Tuesday, compared to an average of 56 daily arrests in 2024. The administration credits the federal deployment with doubling Monday evening's arrest total.
Democratic leaders condemn authoritarian overreach
Democratic lawmakers have denounced Trump's actions as authoritarian moves designed to distract from his refusal to release Jeffrey Epstein-related files. Mayor Muriel Bowser, who initially sought cordial relations with Trump, shifted her tone Tuesday by urging residents to "protect our city, to protect our autonomy." She called for electing a Democratic House to provide "a backstop to this authoritarian push."
Attorney General Brian Schwalb indicated the city government is "considering all options" to protect District residents' rights and safety. The 700,000 residents of the federal district lack voting representation in Congress, giving the president and federal lawmakers power to interfere with city council legislation. Democratic officials argue the intervention represents federal overreach into local governance.
Trump specifically criticized DC's 1992 cash-bail reform and threatened to pursue similar changes in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. He dismissed the city's statehood aspirations as a Democratic attempt to gain Senate seats.
National precedent set for future deployments
Washington, D.C., becomes the second city to receive federal troop deployment under Trump's current administration, following June's Marine and National Guard intervention in Los Angeles during immigration protests. The president indicated plans to use DC as a "positive example" for implementing similar measures in other cities. Fox News personality Jeanine Pirro, recently confirmed as DC's US attorney, published an opinion piece calling for changes to criminal sentencing laws, particularly targeting juvenile offenders.
White House officials describe the deployment as necessary to "promote public safety and arrest violent offenders" while providing a visible law enforcement presence. The operation involves 19 teams of federal agency officers working alongside National Guard troops tasked with protecting federal assets. Trump's broader strategy appears aimed at pressuring Democratic-controlled cities to adopt federal crime-fighting approaches.
The president's actions establish a concerning precedent for federal intervention in local law enforcement matters across the country. His threats to target other major cities suggest this DC operation serves as a template for future federal police takeovers.
