Trump orders federal law enforcement to patrol DC
The enhanced federal presence will begin at midnight. It will be led by the U.S. Park Police and will include officers and agents from the FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; divisions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and other agencies. The White House said the federal law enforcement will be in marked units.
The announcement comes a day after President Trump said he was considering taking control of the Washington, D.C., police department in the wake of a violent attack on a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer.
'Washington, DC is an amazing city, but it has been plagued by violent crime for far too long. President Trump has directed an increased presence of federal law enforcement to protect innocent citizens. Starting tonight, there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C.,' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. 'President Trump is committed to making our Nation's capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors from all around the world.'
Trump has often found himself at odds with Washington, D.C., expressing frustration about crime and homelessness. He has repeatedly threatened to take control of the city throughout his second term.
Crime in D.C. was down 35 percent in 2024 from the previous year, marking a 30-year low, and data from the District indicates the downward trend continuing.
Still, the issue came up again after Edward 'Big Balls' Coristine, the 19-year-old former DOGE staffer, was beaten in an attempted carjacking earlier this week. Police said two 15-year-olds had been arrested.
Thursday's order came after a March executive order establishing the Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force 'to ensure effective federal participation' in the enforcement of immigration laws and redirecting resources to apprehend and deport migrants in Washington, as well as monitoring its 'sanctuary city' status to comply with federal immigration laws.
Updated at 9:25 p.m. EDT
NewsNation's Kellie Meyer contributed.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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