Donald Trump is tired of seeing America’s cities go to ruins. That’s why he’s stepping up to do something about it.
And Trump is planning to send in the National Guard to this U.S. city in a surprising turn of events.
Trump’s Intensified Effort to Restore Order in Washington, DC
In a move to address ongoing concerns in the nation’s capital, the US military is gearing up to deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington, DC. This step aligns with President Trump’s comprehensive plan to tackle crime head-on in the city, as confirmed by authorities.
While Trump has not yet issued the final go-ahead for activating these federal forces, preparations are well underway, with the National Guard poised for action. Two US officials familiar with the details shared this information with Reuters.
This development follows the recent arrival of 120 FBI agents from various parts of the country, who have started patrolling DC neighborhoods at night and supporting local police in areas prone to carjackings. Despite some agents’ limited experience in routine patrol duties, their presence marks an immediate boost to enforcement efforts, as detailed in a report from the Washington Post.
“Be prepared! There will be no ‘MR. NICE GUY.’ We want our Capital BACK,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Sunday, setting the stage for a White House press conference scheduled for Monday morning focused on the city’s upkeep and overall state.
The potential deployment stems from Trump’s executive order titled “Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful,” which he signed on March 28. This directive created a task force aimed at curbing crime and stemming illegal immigration within the city limits.
“The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong,” Trump stated in his social media update.
In another post that day, Trump commented on the local leadership: “The Mayor of D.C., Muriel Bowser, is a good person who has tried, but she has been given many chances, and the Crime Numbers get worse, and the City only gets dirtier and less attractive.”
Mayor Bowser has pushed back against President Trump’s depiction of the situation. Appearing on MSNBC Sunday morning, she remarked, “If the priority is to show force in an American city, we know he can do that here.” She added, “But it won’t be because there’s a spike in crime.”
According to data from the DC police, violent crime has dropped by 26% compared to the same period in 2024. Additionally, juvenile arrests have decreased by about 20% this year, as noted in the Washington Post.
The administration remains firm in its position. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized in a statement that the city has “been plagued by petty and violent crime for far too long.”
As part of the federal initiative implemented by the Trump administration on Thursday, US Park Police have made several arrests in the capital, targeting offenses such as possession of stolen weapons and illegal substances.
Kenneth Spencer, chairman of the Park Police Fraternal Order of Police, informed the New York Post on Friday that eight individuals were taken into custody during the operation. Authorities also recovered two handguns from people with previous felony records.
The seizures included at least 30 “fraudulent oxycodone pills” along with 210 grams of crack cocaine, 600 grams of marijuana, 64 grams of hashish oil, and $3,600 in cash, according to Spencer.
This heightened enforcement was partly triggered by a violent attack on a 19-year-old former staffer from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The young man was assaulted by a group of 10 juveniles last Sunday while intervening in an attempted carjacking in DC, per police reports.
Edward Coristine was with a companion when the youths came up to their vehicle and made “a comment about taking the vehicle.” On Tuesday afternoon, both Trump and Coristine’s former supervisor, Elon Musk, circulated a photo depicting the aftermath: Coristine seated on the ground, covered in blood, with his shirt torn and barely intact.
The president’s extensive measures, including the relocation of homeless individuals, have drawn sharp criticism from opponents and local advocates, who label them as lacking compassion. Jesse Rabinowitz, campaign and communications director at the National Homelessness Law Center, suggested to the Washington Post that “That money could be better spent getting folks housing and support.”
Details on the exact roles of any deployed federal troops remain uncertain, but possibilities include safeguarding federal personnel or handling support duties to allow law enforcement to have more time to focus on other responsibilities, according to officials.
Stay tuned to The Federalist Wire.
