Trump Increases Federal Law Enforcement Presence in Washington DC Amid Crime Concerns

President Donald Trump has directed a significant increase in federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C., citing concerns over violent crime and recent attacks on government staffers. This federal policing initiative, involving multiple agencies such as the U.S. Park Police, Capitol Police, FBI, and DEA, began on a Thursday night and is set to last at least a week, with the possibility of extension. Trump has also suggested federal takeover of the city's governance by potentially repealing the Home Rule Act of 1973, which grants D.C. limited self-governance, and has threatened to deploy the National Guard if the situation does not improve. The White House emphasizes the goal of making the capital safe again, while Trump criticizes local governance and crime rates, despite Department of Justice reports indicating a significant decline in violent crime over recent years. The federal deployment supplements the Metropolitan Police Department, though some local officials and residents have not noticed a substantial increase in police visibility. This escalation reflects ongoing tensions between federal authority and D.C.'s local government amid debates over public safety and city management.