Trump to Deploy National Guard to Washington, DC
Trump assumes federal control of Washington, D.C., police and deploys the National Guard, sparking criticism and legal concerns.
Photo by Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
In a press conference this morning, President Trump announced that he will assume federal control of the Washington, D.C., police force and deploy the National Guard to assist it. This decision gives direct control over the capital's police forces to the federal government, specifically to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth.
In a news conference Donald, flanked by members of his administration, criticized the "state of emergency" the capital is supposedly under. This decision, according to the president, specifically combats crime and homelessness in Washington, D.C.:
“This is Liberation Day in Washington, DC, and we are going to take back our Capitol.” – Donald Trump.
Criticism of Trump's Decision
District of Columbia (DC) Attorney General Brian Schwalb, criticized the decision of the President and described it as "illegal and unnecessary." The president has emphasized the alleged "danger" facing the capital, but Schwalb maintains the data doesn't support him. According to the DC Attorney General, crime in the capital has decreased in the last year, contrary to the image painted by the president:
“We are considering all our options and will do whatever is necessary to protect the rights and safety of District residents.” – Brian Schwalb.
The decision has also been criticized by Civil Rights leaders like Reverend Al Sharpton:
“Let’s call the inspiration for this assault on a majority-Black city what it is: another attempt to distract your base, angry and frustrated by your administration’s handling of the Epstein files. We cannot and will not stand idly by. Threatening to beat up anyone if they spit, calling all Black and low-income neighborhoods ‘slums,’ and dismissing the humanity of the homeless by equating them with criminals is the beginning of the end if we don’t stand up. This is the ultimate assault on the justice and civil rights so many of us have dedicated our lives to protecting and expanding.”
Washington DC and the Home Rule Act
The president announced he had signed an executive order invoking the Home Rule Act to assume federal control over the capital. This law grants him control over the capital's police force for 42 hours, but Trump is sure to extend this control for longer.
The Self-Government Law This exists because Washington, D.C., isn't located in any state: it's in the Federal District. This means it doesn't have the presence of a state government that would typically respond to this type of "crisis."
Trump explained that he will begin this initiative with 800 National Guard members, but emphasized that he is willing to send more troops. He is even willing to deploy the US military to the capital if the situation does not improve. The president also warned cities like Chicago and Los Angeles to "watch what's happening," implying the possibility of deploying troops to these cities.
Background and Concerns
The National Guard has supported the Washington, D.C., police force on several occasions throughout U.S. history. These interventions generally respond to protests or episodes of extreme violence in the capital, as occurred on January 6, 2021. In this case, a group of Trump supporters attempted to interfere with the results of the 2020 election, in which Trump was defeated.
The alleged "crime crisis" the president insists exists in Washington, D.C., is not comparable to these cases. This raises concerns among officials and media outlets across the country, who fear the precedent this action could set.
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