President Trump Federalizes DC Police, Sends National Guard Amid Crime Dispute and Ukraine Peace Push

President Donald Trump has temporarily federalized the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed National Guard troops to the streets of Washington, DC, claiming the move is necessary to combat crime in the nation’s capital.

“This is Liberation Day in DC, and we’re going to take our capital back,” Trump said, announcing a public safety emergency. The action follows an attack on a former Department of Justice employee, according to a police report. The president did not specify how long the federal takeover of DC’s police force would last, but noted that congressional approval would be required for any period longer than 30 days.

“When you walk down the street, you’re going to see police or you’re going to see FBI agents,” Trump added.

However, statistics from both the Metropolitan Police Department and the Justice Department contradict Trump’s claims. Data shows violent crime in DC has dropped 26% from last year, with homicides down 12% — reaching a 30-year low. Critics have also pointed to Trump’s delayed National Guard response during the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser called the president’s move “unsettling and unprecedented,” saying the decision was not entirely surprising given past rhetoric.

The announcement comes as the White House prepares for Trump’s upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where he has suggested Ukraine and Russia may need to exchange territory to reach a peace deal. “Russia has occupied some very prime territory. We’re going to try and get some of that territory back for Ukraine,” Trump said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed not to cede any land, and the German Chancellor has invited world leaders, including Trump, to a virtual meeting ahead of Friday’s summit to coordinate on peace negotiations and push Russia to end the war.

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