Trump Federalizes D.C. Police and Deploys National Guard — Sparks Outrage and Calls for Accountability
Donald Trump’s latest announcement has ignited a political firestorm — with critics demanding impeachment after he revealed plans to deploy the National Guard on the streets of Washington, D.C., for 30 days.
Speaking after meetings with officials on August 11, Trump declared a “public safety emergency,” promising there would be “no Mr. Nice Guy” in his crackdown on what he called “out-of-control crime” in the capital.
His plan includes ordering the homeless to “move out immediately” and giving police far greater leeway, famously stating officers can now “do whatever the hell they want” if met with hostility.
While Trump described D.C. as one of the most dangerous cities in the world, official crime statistics show violent crime at a 30-year low — a stark contrast fueling outrage and claims of government overreach.
The order invokes section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, enabling a federal takeover of D.C.’s Metropolitan Police.
The move mirrors his controversial decision earlier this year to send 5,000 National Guard troops into Los Angeles during immigration protests — the first time in six decades such an action was taken without a state governor’s consent.
That deployment is still under legal scrutiny in California, where state officials argue it violates core principles of U.S. law.
Supporters call the D.C. plan “historic action” to restore safety, while opponents see it as a dangerous step toward a police state.
With 800 National Guard troops now patrolling the capital, the nation is sharply divided over whether this is bold leadership or a chilling abuse of power.
