Dozens Arrested in D.C. as Mayor Warns of “Authoritarian Push”

Federal Agents and National Guard Patrol Streets Amid Trump’s “Crime Crisis” Claim

Federal Crackdown Hits the Capital

Washington, D.C. awoke Wednesday to a heightened security presence as federal agents and National Guard troops patrolled streets under a Trump administration initiative to combat what the president has called a “crime crisis.”

According to the White House, around 43 arrests were made overnight, though the Drug Enforcement Administration later reported closer to 60 arrests. Authorities said the sweep recovered firearms and apprehended at least one murder suspect.

President Invokes Rare Authority

President Donald Trump invoked Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act, allowing a temporary federal takeover of local policing during “emergencies.” The move reassigned hundreds of federal agents from the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security, and U.S. Marshals Service, alongside the activation of approximately 800 National Guard troops.

Trump has defended the intervention as necessary to “restore safety” in the nation’s capital, saying “people are afraid to walk in their own city.”

Mayor Pushes Back

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has condemned the move as an “authoritarian push” that undermines the District’s self-governance. She argued that crime rates have been declining sharply and that the federal deployment is both politically motivated and unnecessary.

Bowser also criticized the federal homeless crackdown, which includes clearing encampments and warning that those who refuse shelter could face jail.

Crime Numbers Tell a Different Story

Official Metropolitan Police Department data shows that violent crime in D.C. has dropped over the past year, with homicides, carjackings, and robberies all at multi-year lows. Critics say the administration’s framing of the city as unsafe does not match the statistics.

FAQs

Q: Why is the federal government involved in D.C.’s policing?
Under the D.C. Home Rule Act, the president can temporarily take control of the city’s police during emergencies, citing public safety concerns.

Q: How long can this takeover last?
The federal control can last up to 30 days without congressional approval. After that, Congress would need to authorize an extension.

Q: Is crime in D.C. actually rising?
No. Official data shows violent crime has declined significantly in the past year, contradicting claims of a worsening crisis.

Q: What happens to people experiencing homelessness?
Federal officials say they are offering shelter and services but will arrest those who refuse. Critics call the policy punitive and lacking compassion.

Q: Has anything like this happened before?
Yes—federal takeovers of D.C. policing have occurred during major protests or unrest, but rarely in times of low crime.

for further querry feel free to contact us