Trump Federalizes D.C. Police Deploys National Guard

President Donald Trump has taken the unprecedented step of placing the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control, invoking the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. Alongside this federal takeover, Trump has deployed National Guard troops to the capital to bolster security and combat crime, framing the move as part of his administration's tough-on-crime agenda. Despite Trump's claims of rampant crime and homelessness necessitating intervention, local data indicates that violent crime in Washington, D.C., has declined significantly in recent years. The deployment involves approximately 500 federal law enforcement officers from agencies including the FBI, ATF, DEA, ICE, and the Marshals Service, working in coordination with National Guard units. Trump's actions have sparked controversy as they challenge the city's home rule government structure, which grants residents the power to elect their own local officials, though Congress retains oversight. The president vowed to "liberate" the city and restore law and order, but questions remain about the effectiveness and implications of federal control over local policing and the deeper issues facing the city.