DC attorney general: Trump actions ‘unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful'
Schwalb said in a post on X on Monday, after President Trump's announcement in the morning, a 'crime emergency' doesn't exist in the District, noting that violent crime reached a 30-year low last year and is currently 26 percent lower this year than at this same point last year.
'We are considering all of our options and will do what is necessary to protect the rights and safety of District residents,' he said.
Trump claimed during his announcement that the federal government is taking control of the local police that the city has been 'overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people.'
The Home Rule Act, which grants the city a certain number of self-governing powers, allows the president to federalize the D.C. police for up to 30 days. Trump must provide Congress with written notification of his rationale for taking control of the police within 48 hours, and congressional approval would be needed to extend the president's control of the police beyond the 30 days.
Trump's decision comes after a former employee of the Department of Government Efficiency was attacked during a carjacking in D.C. earlier this month. But data shows that violent crime dropped 35 percent from 2023 to 2024.
The numbers in most categories of crime listed on the Metropolitan Police Department's website are also lower for 2025 than at this time in 2024.
Democrats have been quick to condemn Trump's action as a power grab, a distraction and a violation of D.C.'s sovereignty.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) called it 'political theater' that ignores the progress that D.C. has made in reducing crime. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Trump has 'no basis' to take over the police department and 'no credibility' on the issue of law and order.
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New York Post
12 minutes ago
- New York Post
Left-wing dark-money megadonors, including George Soros, fund group organizing protests against Trump's DC crime crackdown
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Boston Globe
12 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
These are the voters who should scare Democrats most
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Axios
12 minutes ago
- Axios
Read: White House launches "comprehensive" review of Smithsonian exhibits
The Trump administration told the Smithsonian Institution it's launching a "comprehensive internal review" of the world's biggest museum and research complex, per a letter the White House released Tuesday. The big picture: "As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation's founding, it is more important than ever that our national museums reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story," states the letter to Smithsonian secretary Lonnie Bunch, signed by White House officials Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley and Russell Vought. "This initiative aims to ensure alignment with the President's directive to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive or partisan narratives, and restore confidence in our shared cultural institutions." The letter says the action is in accordance with President Trump's March executive order on reshaping the Smithsonian and removing what he deems "improper ideology" from the institution. Of note: The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History in July removed mentions of Trump's two impeachments from an exhibit, before restoring his name to an impeachment display with revisions. What to expect: The review will initially focus on the following museums before shifting focus to others: National Museum of American History. National Museum of Natural History. National Museum of African American History and Culture. National Museum of the American Indian. National Air and Space Museum. Smithsonian American Art Museum National Portrait Gallery. Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Zoom in: Each museum must submit within 30 days all requested materials, including current exhibition descriptions and draft plans for upcoming shows, according to the letter. An inventory of all permanent holdings must be submitted within 75 days and each museum "should finalize and submit its updated plan to commemorate America's 250th anniversary," among other requirements. Within 120 days, museums "should begin implementing content corrections where necessary, replacing divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate, and constructive descriptions across placards, wall didactics, digital displays, and other public-facing materials," per the letter. What they're saying: "The Smithsonian's work is grounded in a deep commitment to scholarly excellence, rigorous research, and the accurate, factual presentation of history," the institution said in a media statement Tuesday.
