President Donald Trump announced Monday that his administration will place the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) of Washington, D.C., under federal control and deploy National Guard troops in response to concerns over rising crime in the nation’s capital.
The move follows months of debate over public safety in the District and comes as local officials defend their handling of the situation.
During the announcement, President Trump cited a need for immediate action to address public safety concerns, declaring a federal “public safety emergency” in the city.
The plan includes oversight of the MPD by Attorney General Pam Bondi and additional resources to combat violent crime.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from several Democratic leaders.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said there was no basis for the intervention, claiming, “Violent crime in Washington, D.C. is at a thirty-year low.”
Jeffries’ remarks referenced city statistics showing reported violent crime down 26% compared to the same period last year.
D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb also condemned the move, calling it “unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful.”
In a statement, Schwalb said, “The Administration’s actions are unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful. There is no crime emergency in the District of Columbia. Violent crime in D.C. reached historic 30-year lows last year, and is down another 26% so far this year. We are considering all of our options and will do what’s necessary to protect the rights and safety of District residents.”
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized the decision as well, describing it as an “authoritarian power grab” and “a dress rehearsal” for broader executive overreach.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s official crime data has come under scrutiny in recent months.
In July, NBC4 Washington reported that MPD Commander Michael Pulliam was under investigation for allegedly directing officers to reclassify certain felony crimes as lesser offenses. Pulliam denied the allegations.
Amid the political dispute, the DC Police Union — representing more than 3,000 officers — issued a statement in support of the federal action.
“The DC Police Union, representing over 3,000 officers of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), today acknowledges and supports the President’s announcement this morning to assume temporary control of the MPD in response to the escalating crime crisis in Washington, DC,” the statement said.
“The Union agrees that crime is spiraling out of control, and immediate action is necessary to restore public safety. However, we emphasize that federal intervention must be a temporary measure, with the ultimate goal of empowering a fully staffed and supported MPD to protect our city effectively.”
The union’s position highlights a divide between local officials and rank-and-file officers over how to address crime.
While city leaders point to overall reductions in reported violent crime, law enforcement representatives maintain that on-the-ground conditions justify the president’s actions.
The federal control of the MPD is set to remain in place temporarily, with the stated objective of stabilizing public safety while working toward a return to local oversight.
The National Guard deployment is expected to assist in targeted operations and bolster police presence in high-crime areas.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security will work with Attorney General Bondi to coordinate enforcement measures and evaluate progress in reducing criminal activity during the period of federal oversight.
No timeline has yet been announced for the end of the federal control, but administration officials have said the arrangement will be reviewed regularly based on crime data and operational readiness of the MPD.
