More than 450 people arrested since Trump's Washington, DC, crackdown began
In a post on X, Bondi said 52 arrests were made Monday night alone, including an alleged MS-13 gang member, and nine guns were recovered.
At the direction of @POTUS, our nation's capital is a SAFER place—and we are just getting started.
52 arrests were made last night, including an MS-13 gang member, and 9 firearms were taken off the streets.
Since our mission began, there have been a total of 465 arrests, 68…
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 19, 2025
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau was responsible for 21 of the arrests Monday night along with several gun recoveries and drug seizures.
The administration has also begun clearing homeless encampments across the city, citing public safety concerns.
In recent days, armoured vehicles have been stationed near monuments and tourist landmarks, while drivers have been subjected to stops along a busy nightlife strip. Police helicopters from the National Park Service have also patrolled the skies. Officials say a total of 800 troops are expected to be deployed in Washington, along with 500 federal law enforcement agents, including the FBI.
Since assuming office, Trump has also sent National Guard troops to Los Angeles to suppress protests sparked by Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation raids.
Trump has sought to portray Washington, DC, as overrun with violent crime, even though crime levels are at a 30-year low following a surge in 2023, The Guardian reported. He has claimed, without evidence, that the data is being manipulated and that crime rates are actually worse.
Democrats in Congress introduced a joint resolution last week condemning what they called 'egregious attacks on DC home rule.' The city also won a modest legal victory when the White House agreed to keep the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under the authority of Chief Pamela Smith.
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