Trump Threatens National Guard Deployment, Federal Takeover of DC Police Amid Crime Concerns

President Trump has escalated his criticism of Washington D.C.'s handling of crime, particularly concerning violent acts committed by minors, calling for changes to prosecute offenders as adults starting at age 14. In response to recent assaults, including an attack on a former Department of Government Efficiency employee known as 'Big Balls,' Trump threatened to deploy the National Guard and federalize the D.C. police to restore order and beautify the city. He criticized local leadership and expressed intentions to overturn the 1973 Home Rule Act, which grants D.C. self-governance, aiming to make the capital "the best-run place in the country." Despite a recent decline in violent crime, Trump maintains that the city remains a "dirty, crime-ridden death trap" and has created a "D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force" to address quality-of-life issues. His plans face legal and political challenges, as federalizing D.C. would require congressional approval to alter its autonomy. Separate from D.C. issues, Trump also announced a White House task force to oversee preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and indicated he might consider using the military to ensure safety during the Games.