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| US Park Police perform a traffic stop on Friday in Washington, DC. Andrew Leyden/Getty Images |
President Donald Trump is set to escalate his push to combat crime in the nation’s capital, signaling a possible federal takeover of Washington, DC, while local officials tread carefully in their public responses. On Monday, Trump is expected to unveil new measures aimed at curbing violence in the city — a move that comes after his weekend deployment of hundreds of federal law enforcement officers.
According to a White House official, as many as 450 federal officers were called into action over the weekend. This expanded force reportedly includes around 130 FBI agents who will work alongside DC’s Metropolitan Police Department, an unusual pairing since FBI agents typically focus on investigative work rather than street patrols. Their mission, a source familiar with the plans said, will involve driving through neighborhoods and running license plate checks to identify stolen vehicles and outstanding warrants. The unusual nature of this operation underscores Trump’s determination to assert a federal presence in the city.
Over the weekend, Trump teased a Monday morning press event scheduled for 10 a.m. ET, promising sweeping changes. “I’m going to make our Capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before,” Trump wrote on social media. He added that homeless residents “have to move out, IMMEDIATELY” but pledged to provide accommodations “far from the Capital.” As for criminals, his message was blunt: “We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”
However, Trump’s tough rhetoric has been undercut by facts. Crime statistics from DC’s Metropolitan Police Department show that, so far this year, overall crime has actually declined compared to the same period last year. This trend mirrors declines in other major U.S. cities, suggesting the president’s claims of a dramatic crime surge in the capital are not supported by current data.
A Mayor’s Calculated Silence
Five days after Trump first threatened to “take over” the city, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser finally broke her silence. In an interview with MSNBC, Bowser disputed the notion that DC is experiencing a massive crime wave. She also noted a key constitutional detail: the DC National Guard operates under presidential authority, not hers. While emphasizing that her priorities align with fighting crime, she refrained from directly criticizing the president.
The mayor went so far as to thank federal law enforcement agencies “who always work cooperatively with us,” expressing confidence that this collaboration would continue. Her reluctance to publicly challenge Trump stands in stark contrast to her approach during his first term, when she made national headlines by ordering “Black Lives Matter” painted in large yellow letters on the street near the White House during the George Floyd protests.
This softer, more deferential tone now appears to be a deliberate strategy. Bowser understands that alienating federal partners — from the Secret Service and U.S. Park Police to the Capitol Police and Federal Protective Service — could complicate day-to-day law enforcement and the city’s ability to manage major events. According to a source familiar with her thinking, the mayor sees little benefit in sparring with Trump over the deployment of federal officers, especially when violent crime rates are, by the data, on a downward trend.
Even members of the DC Council have been largely quiet. Twelve of the thirteen councilmembers declined to comment last week, while Councilmember Christina Henderson suggested that delays in federal judicial appointments under both Trump and Biden have worsened the city’s crime situation by slowing prosecutions.
Bowser’s approach has not gone unnoticed by federal officials. U.S. Attorney for DC Jeanine Pirro recently praised her, telling Fox News, “I have to give the mayor credit. Mayor Bowser is working with us.” That cooperative spirit was also on display in March when Bowser removed the Black Lives Matter Plaza mural after congressional Republicans threatened to cut funding. At the time, she told Local press, “We have bigger fish to fry,” pointing to looming financial challenges and job losses in the capital.
In addition to policing, Bowser has sought opportunities to partner with Trump where possible. Earlier this year, she joined the president at the White House to announce that the NFL Draft will be hosted in DC in 2027. She also welcomed federal assistance in repairing and beautifying the city’s parks — a subtle reminder that collaboration with Washington’s most powerful figure can yield tangible benefits.
Trump’s Next Moves
Trump first floated the idea of a federal takeover of DC in February during his second term, citing a need for “law and order.” His renewed focus on the city’s crime problem came last week after Edward Coristine, a former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency, was assaulted in an attempted carjacking.
Following that incident, Trump told reporters he was considering taking control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deploying the National Guard. He also suggested his administration might explore overturning DC’s Home Rule — the legislative framework that grants certain powers of self-governance to the city’s mayor and council. “We have to run DC,” Trump declared. “This has to be the best-run place in the country, not the worst-run place in the country.”
Legally, the president already has the power to assume control of the city’s police for up to 48 hours if he determines there are “special conditions of an emergency nature” that require the Metropolitan Police to be used for federal purposes. During such a period, the president can access any police services he deems necessary.
If Trump wished to extend control beyond that initial 48-hour window, he would need to notify the chairs and ranking members of the congressional committees overseeing DC. Any control lasting more than 30 days would require congressional approval. While this is theoretically possible, a full federal takeover of the city’s government would require new legislation — a move unlikely to succeed in a Senate with close partisan margins.
Still, the president’s capacity to exert temporary, targeted control over DC’s law enforcement is significant. By threatening to deploy the National Guard and integrate federal agents into local policing, Trump is testing the boundaries of the city’s autonomy under Home Rule.
For now, Mayor Bowser’s strategy remains one of cautious cooperation. She is working to preserve federal partnerships while quietly pushing back on what she sees as exaggerated claims about crime in her city. Whether this approach will allow her to maintain both her political footing and the city’s local authority in the face of potential federal intervention remains to be seen.
