Action aims to enhance security and address homelessness issues
President Donald Trump announced that National Guard troops will be deployed in Washington, D.C., and that the federal government will assume control of the city’s Metropolitan Police Department. According to the president, the move is intended to address public safety concerns and homelessness in the nation’s capital.
Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump referred to the day as a “liberation” for the city and stated that the police department would now be led by a federal team he described as “effective and tough.”
Official data shows crime reduction
According to official data from the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C., saw a notable decline in several crime indicators in 2024 compared to the previous year: homicides (-32%), robberies (-39%), armed carjackings (-53%), and assaults with dangerous weapons (-27%), reaching the lowest levels in more than three decades.
Despite these statistics, Trump argued that the city faces gang activity and high levels of insecurity, prompting federal intervention.
Local reactions and immediate effects
Local authorities have voiced concerns over the measure and its potential impact on the community, particularly on homeless individuals. Some residents reported feeling uncertain upon seeing federal agents patrolling various areas of the city.
In recent days, groups of FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and other federal agents have been seen in public spaces. Near the Lincoln Memorial, homeless residents expressed fear of being relocated without knowing where they might be sent.
Trump stated that the removal of homeless encampments will be part of a broader plan to “beautify the capital,” but offered no specifics on relocation sites. The president warned that, if improvements are not achieved, the federal government will continue to directly manage the city’s security.
