US President Donald Trump on Monday said he’s placing the Washington, DC, police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard, reports news agency AP.“This is Liberation Day in DC, and we’re going to take our capital back,” the MAGA chief said at a White House press conference.Trump is weighing the deployment of up to 1,000 National Guard troops to Washington, DC, reports CNBC. The GOP leader said he wants to tackle what he calls rising crime and homelessness in the capital. NBC News reported that Trump is also threatening to put the city under federal control.In a Truth Social post on Monday morning, ahead of a White House news conference, Trump wrote: “Washington, DC will be LIBERATED today! Crime, Savagery, Filth, and Scum will DISAPPEAR. I will, MAKE OUR CAPITAL GREAT AGAIN!”On Sunday, he warned that homeless people in the city would “have to move out, IMMEDIATELY,” promising they would be relocated “far from the Capital.”According to official US justice department figures, violent crime in DC is at a 30-year low, but Trump disputes the data, citing claims of manipulation. His push follows the recent assault of a former White House staffer in the city.Trump also criticised a $3.1 billion renovation of the Federal Reserve’s headquarters, calling it wasteful.DC mayor Muriel Bowser has rejected Trump’s portrayal of the city.On MSNBC’s “The Weekend,” Bowser said that, “People are coming to our capital. They’re starting business in our capital, and they’re raising families in our capital. Any comparison to a war-torn country is hyperbolic and false.”In June, the Trump administration deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles, a key Democratic stronghold, to address civil unrest over federal immigration enforcement operations in the city.California governor Gavin Newsom sued the administration, arguing that Trump’s actions were unconstitutional. LA mayor Karen Bass doubled down on Newsom’s claims.
Why does Trump want to ‘take over’ DC
Trump has stepped up his efforts to take federal control of Washington, DC, saying he is worried about rising crime and homelessness in the city. Using social media and official White House channels, he said his administration is tough on crime and called for quick action to “liberate” the city from what he calls “Crime, Savagery, Filth, and Scum.”The Republican chief has called for the removal of the homeless population from the city center, promising them housing “far from the Capital,” while insisting criminals should be jailed. This push follows a recent assault on Edward Coristine, a high-profile member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which Trump used as a rallying point to increase federal law enforcement presence.
Around 500 federal officers including FBI, ATF, DEA, ICE, and US Marshals have been deployed to patrol Washington, aiming to curb crime rates, according to news agency AP. However, Washington’s unique status as a congressionally established federal district limits his direct policy influence.DC mayor Muriel Bowser disagrees with Trump’s plan to take control of the city. She says using the National Guard to enforce local laws is not the best way to handle problems. Instead, she wants more money for prosecutors and to fill many empty jobs in the city’s courts. Bowser also says violent crime in Washington has gone down by 26% compared to last year. She thinks Trump’s claim that the city is “one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World” is an exaggeration and not true.Trump has said he might take back control of the city by changing a law called the Home Rule Act of 1973, but this is not easy and would face many problems. This law lets the president take over the city’s police only in special cases, and Bowser says none of those cases are happening now. She believes the city is safe and that local leaders are working hard to keep it that way and help homeless people.
What is Section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act?
Trump has invoked Section 740 of the DC Home Rule Act. The act gives the president the power to take control of Washington, DC’s police force during emergencies such as insurrections or rebellions. This authority is meant to be used only when local officials are unable to maintain law and order. The president can step in to restore peace and safety but only over the police department.This law does not allow the president to take over the entire city government. It is a limited power intended for rare and serious situations. The DC Home Rule Act generally grants the city some self-governance, with Section 740 serving as an exception for times of crisis.
