President Trump announced Monday that he is taking federal control of Washington, D.C.’s police department and activating the National Guard in the nation’s capital, framing the move as a crackdown on what he described as spiraling lawlessness.
“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people, and we’re not going to let it happen anymore. We’re not going to take it,” Trump declared from the White House briefing room.
Citing authority under the Home Rule Act, Trump declared a public safety emergency, which allows him to assume temporary control of the Metropolitan Police Department if “special conditions of an emergency nature exist.” He also tapped DEA Administrator Terry Cole — sworn in as commissioner in July — to serve as the federal government’s leader of the city’s police force.
The president has the power to activate the D.C. National Guard without local approval, though guardsmen will not be authorized to make arrests. Instead, they will provide operational support to local and federal agencies. Trump must notify Congress in writing within 48 hours of the takeover and can control the police force for up to 30 days without congressional approval.
It was unclear if the White House had consulted D.C. leaders before making the move. A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office declined to comment shortly before Trump’s announcement.
The decision comes despite city data showing crime in D.C. dropped 35 percent in 2024 to its lowest level in three decades, with violent crime also trending down in 2025. Trump dismissed those numbers, pointing to allegations that a D.C. police commander altered crime statistics and citing recent high-profile cases involving government-connected individuals — including the killing of congressional intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym in July and the carjacking attack on former Department of Government Efficiency staffer Edward “Big Balls” Coristine earlier this month.
“It’s becoming a situation of complete and total lawlessness,” Trump said, flanked by Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and U.S. Attorney for D.C. Jeanine Pirro.
Federal law enforcement presence in the city has surged in recent days, with agents from the DEA, FBI, Secret Service and other agencies deployed across the District. Trump also vowed to clear homeless encampments from the capital.
“Washington, D.C., should be one of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful cities anywhere in the world. And we’re going to make it that,” he said.