Donald Trump on Monday deployed military and federal law enforcement to curb violent crime in Washington. Image: The Hindu
(The Post News)- U.S. President Donald Trump deployed military and federal law enforcement to decrease violent crime in Washington. With this action, he aims to fulfill his campaign promise to serve as a “law and order” president.
Trump announced plans to bring the city’s Metropolitan Police under federal control and deploy the National Guard onto the streets of the US capital. Republican politicians accuse Washington of being overrun by crime, burdened by homelessness, and poorly managed financially, according to reports.
He declared the day “Liberation Day in DC” and said that they will reclaim their capital. Trump said that a convicted criminal who granted blanket amnesty to over 1,600 people related to the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot in Washington has blasted “local police and prosecutors for not being tough enough.”
According to Trump, authorities would deploy 800 DC National Guardsmen, “and many more if necessary,” to the city. As Trump addressed the nation from the White House, several protesters gathered outside. While holding a placard that said, “DC says freedom, not fascism,” Elizabeth Critchley (62) said the National Guard was not needed. She added, “It’s all for show, just political theater.”
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, standing alongside Trump with other cabinet members, said that authorities could also deploy “other specialized” National Guard units. “They will be strong, they will be tough, and they will work alongside their law enforcement partners,” he said.
The strategy is similar to Trump’s immigration policies, which have effectively shut the southern border through mass deportations while also sending active-duty troops to confront protesters in Los Angeles. The president reported that he intended to expand the policy to other cities, specifically New York and Chicago. Washington’s federal relationship limits its sovereignty and provides Congress extraordinary power over local matters, unlike the 50 states.
Ahead of the press conference, Trump wrote on social media that he also aims to address homeless encampments after signing an order last month making it easier to arrest homeless individuals. He also vowed to provide people with “places to stay” far from the capital. Additionally, he promised to jail criminals, and said it would all happen “very fast.”
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi declared that crime in Washington, D.C., is coming to an end.
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