In a bold and controversial move on Monday, former President Donald Trump announced that the federal government would take control of the Washington D.C. police force.
At a charged White House press conference, Trump declared the deployment of hundreds of National Guard troops to the city streets, promising to “rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor.”
This dramatic announcement set off a firestorm of reactions across the political spectrum, with Democrats, including former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, pushing back hard against Trump’s claims and plans.
Hillary Clinton Slams Trump’s Policing Move Amid Mockery
Hillary Clinton, who famously lost the 2016 presidential race to Trump, didn’t hold back as she criticized the federal takeover plan.
Calling Trump’s justification “unhinged,” Clinton pointed to recent data showing violent crime in D.C. is actually at a 30-year low.
She cited statistics from the Department of Justice, released under the Biden administration earlier this year, that highlight a significant drop in violent crime in the heavily Democratic city.
But the backlash was swift — White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson hit back on social media, calling Clinton “a big-time loser” and accusing her of lying.
Jackson referenced a suspended police commander’s controversy over allegedly falsified crime stats, though the commander denied the accusations.
Congressional Democrats Challenge Trump’s Narrative
Democratic leaders echoed Clinton’s condemnation.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries doubled down, emphasizing the same crime statistics and calling Trump’s takeover “baseless” with “zero credibility” on law and order issues.
Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer questioned Republicans’ usual stance on local control.
He pointed out that if Trump truly cared about Washington D.C., he’d push Congress to release billions in funding that the House Republicans have been withholding, instead of staging what Schumer called a political stunt.
NYC Mayoral Candidate Joins the Fight Against Trump’s Tactics
The reaction wasn’t limited to D.C. Socialist Democrat and New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani said he planned to “fight back” if Trump tried similar federal takeovers in his city.
Mamdani called Trump’s actions a direct threat and vowed to oppose any attempt to impose such control over New York.
Trump Vows to “Take Our Capitol Back” with Aggressive Policing
Standing alongside top officials including Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, Trump pledged a hardline crackdown on crime in the city.
“You spit and we hit, and we can hit real hard,” he said bluntly, promising aggressive federal tactics against repeat offenders.
He also made it clear that clearing homeless encampments in city parks was part of the plan, painting a grim picture of Washington streets overrun by gangs, criminals, drug users, and “wild youth.”
Personal Stories Fuel Trump’s Case for Federal Intervention
Trump cited several recent violent incidents to justify the takeover.
One particularly gripping case involved Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old who survived a brutal attempted carjacking near a popular nightlife area.
Trump described Coristine as “dripping in blood” and barely alive after the attack, which led to arrests of two teenage suspects from nearby Maryland.
The president also referenced other tragic events, such as a congressional intern killed in a drive-by shooting and a former Trump administration official murdered during a carjacking, along with other violent crimes involving young offenders.
Crime Stats Contested by D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser
Despite Trump’s claims of rising crime, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser pushed back, highlighting official statistics showing violent crime down 26% this year and at a 30-year low in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Bowser has introduced new police initiatives targeting youth crime and called Trump’s comparisons of D.C. to war-torn places like Baghdad “hyperbolic and false.”
She also defended the city’s efforts to improve safety and maintain local control over policing.
Legal and Political Hurdles Ahead for Trump’s Plan
It’s important to note that Trump does not have the sole authority to federalize the D.C. police force.
Doing so would require Congressional action to repeal the 1973 Home Rule Act, which grants D.C. residents the power to elect their own mayor and council.
Although Republicans hold majorities in both chambers, Democrats—and many D.C. residents—strongly oppose repealing Home Rule.
The district has more people than some states but still lacks full representation in Congress, making this a deeply contentious issue.
Still, some Republican lawmakers like Senator Mike Lee and Representative Andy Ogles have introduced legislation aimed at revoking D.C.’s self-governance, stirring further debate.
What’s Next for Washington D.C. and the Federal Takeover?
The federalization plan marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political battle over policing, public safety, and local autonomy in the nation’s capital.
With Democrats warning of political motives behind the move and Republicans supporting stronger federal intervention, Washington D.C. residents and lawmakers face an uncertain future as this high-stakes dispute continues to unfold.