Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and place the city’s police department under federal control, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.
The move comes after a series of violent incidents in the capital, including the assault of Edward Coristine, a Department of Government Efficiency employee, known by the nickname “Big Balls,” who was attacked by a group of assailants.
On Monday, President Trump announced he was invoking Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act, granting him the authority to assume control of the Metropolitan Police Department during “special conditions of an emergency nature.”
The president signed two executive actions: one invoking Section 740 powers and another sending the statutorily required notifications to the D.C. mayor and relevant congressional committees.
The provision allows federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department for more than 48 hours, provided committee chairs and the mayor are formally informed.
Trump also signed a presidential memorandum directing the Secretary of Defense to deploy National Guard troops to the city and authorizing state governors to utilize their own Guard units in their respective states. “We will bring in the military if it’s needed,” Trump told reporters.
The deployment is part of a larger effort by the administration to address escalating crime and restore public safety in the capital. Trump said the decision was made after reviewing the severity of recent violence and the need for immediate intervention.
Section 740 of the Home Rule Act has rarely been invoked since its creation, and federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department is considered an extraordinary measure. The last similar action was taken decades ago under different circumstances.
Clinton responded to the move by criticizing the president’s decision to use federal authority and military resources in the nation’s capital, aligning her comments with broader objections from Democratic lawmakers and media figures who oppose the action.
Trump defended the decision, citing the emergency powers provided to the presidency under the D.C. Home Rule Act and the responsibility of the federal government to ensure the safety of the capital.
The president also emphasized that the National Guard deployment would focus on preventing further violence, protecting public property, and supporting local law enforcement.
The administration has not provided an exact timeline for how long the federal control of the Metropolitan Police will remain in place, but officials confirmed the deployment would be reviewed regularly to assess conditions on the ground.
