Trump deploys National Guard to Washington DC and pledges crime crackdown

August 12, 2025

President Donald Trump has declared a "public safety emergency" in Washington DC, deploying 800 National Guard troops and taking control of the city's police force under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. Trump claims the city is experiencing "complete and total lawlessness" and has been "taken over by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals," despite official statistics showing violent crime has decreased significantly since 2023. Mayor Muriel Bowser and other Democratic leaders have rejected Trump's characterization of the city, calling his actions "unsettling and unprecedented" while highlighting that homicides have dropped by 32% between 2023 and 2024.

Who is affected

Washington DC residents
Homeless individuals in Washington DC
The Metropolitan Police Department now under federal control
Federal government employees and elected officials mentioned as victims of attacks
Visitors and dignitaries to the nation's capital

What action is being taken

800 National Guard troops are being deployed, with 100-200 supporting law enforcement at any given time
The president is taking control of the city's police department under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act
US Attorney General Pam Bondi is leading the city's police force while under federal control
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth is overseeing National Guard deployment scheduled to arrive by the end of the week
Protesters are gathering outside the White House chanting "hands off DC" and "protect home rule"

Why it matters

The action represents a federal intervention in local governance, using emergency powers that Mayor Bowser claims are not justified by current conditions
It creates tension between federal and local authority, with Democratic leaders questioning the legal basis for the takeover
The move occurs despite official data showing violent crime has decreased, with homicides down 32% between 2023-2024 and at their lowest level since 2019
Homelessness, which Trump also aims to address, has actually decreased by almost 20% for individuals in Washington DC compared to five years ago
It marks the second time Trump has deployed the National Guard during his presidency, following a June deployment to Los Angeles

What's next

The president must provide written notice to Congress if he intends to maintain control of the police force for longer than 48 hours
Even with Congressional notification, presidential control of the police cannot extend beyond 30 days under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act
No explicit next steps stated in the article regarding the homelessness initiatives Trump mentioned

Read full article from source: BBC