U.S. President Donald Trump announced the deployment of National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., on Monday, citing a need to restore public safety and federal authority. The move follows weeks of escalating tensions over crime management in the capital.
At a White House press conference, Trump invoked the Home Rule Act to place the Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control, calling it "Liberation Day in D.C." The administration has already deployed 500 federal agents from agencies including the FBI, ATF, and Homeland Security since last week.
"We're going to take our capital back," Trump declared, signaling plans to expand similar measures to New York and Chicago. Washington, D.C.'s unique status as a federal district allows Congress greater oversight compared to U.S. states.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser defended the city's safety record in a recent MSNBC interview, noting violent crime has reached a 30-year low. This contrasts with a Gallup poll showing 64% of Americans believe crime increased in 2024, despite FBI data indicating historic lows nationwide.
Trump also pledged to address homelessness through new enforcement measures, vowing to create housing solutions "FAR from the Capital" while warning of swift arrests for criminal activity. The announcement comes amid ongoing debates about federal-local governance balance under the 1970s-era Home Rule Act.
