Latest news with #ColumbiaHomeRuleAct
Economic Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
After national guards deployed in D.C, are New York and Los Angeles next? Trump drops a warning
Synopsis Donald Trump has taken an unprecedented step by seizing control of Washington, D.C.'s police force and deploying National Guard troops, citing a 'public safety emergency.' The president claims the city is facing a crime crisis, comparing it to 'worse than Mexico City.' However, official police data shows violent crime has actually dropped 26% this year, with homicides down 12%. The move has sparked sharp criticism from D.C. leaders, who call it a political power grab. Trump has warned New York City could be next, raising questions about how far federal intervention in local policing could go. After deploying National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump has hinted that New York and Los Angeles could face similar federal crackdowns, warning he's ready to act if local leaders 'fail to protect their citizens.' President Donald Trump on Monday took the extraordinary step of federalizing Washington, D.C.'s police force and ordering hundreds of National Guard troops into the nation's capital, declaring what he called a 'public safety emergency' and vowing to 'liberate' the city from what he described as 'out-of-control crime.' But police data tells a sharply different story — violent crime in D.C. has actually fallen 26% this year, with homicides down about 12% compared to 2024. Invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act — a provision that has never before been used by a sitting president — Trump transferred operational control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to the Justice Department for up to 30 days. Attorney General Pam Bondi will oversee the operation, working with newly appointed federal police commissioner Terry Cole. The plan includes up to 800 D.C. National Guard troops, with 100 to 200 on active duty at any given time, patrolling high-crime neighborhoods, transportation hubs, and tourist areas. 'This is Liberation Day,' Trump said from the White House, branding D.C. 'worse than Mexico City' and accusing local leaders of 'surrendering the streets to criminals.' According to MPD statistics, the first half of 2025 has seen some of the lowest violent crime levels in three decades. Crime category Change vs. 2024 Year-to-date notes Violent crime -26% Significant decline citywide Homicides -12% Down from last year's mid-year tally Property crime -8% Slight drop in theft, burglary rates Local officials argue that the numbers reflect ongoing policing reforms and community initiatives, not a crisis requiring federal intervention. Mayor Muriel Bowser called the move 'deeply unsettling and unprecedented' but said the city would comply, acknowledging that the Home Rule Act gives the president broad emergency powers over the capital. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb labeled the takeover 'unlawful' and vowed to explore legal challenges, saying, 'This is not about safety — this is about control.' Several members of the D.C. Council have condemned the move, noting the timing comes as crime is trending downward. Trump warned during his remarks that New York City 'could be next', hinting at similar federal crackdowns if local governments 'fail to protect their citizens.' Legal experts say the D.C. case is unique because the city lacks statehood, making it subject to federal authority in ways other cities are not. But they warn the precedent could embolden the White House to test the limits of federal intervention in local policing elsewhere. The surprise announcement is already fueling political tensions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Supporters say the president is delivering on his promise to get 'tough on crime,' while critics accuse him of manufacturing a crisis for political gain. For now, D.C.'s streets will see an unprecedented mix of local officers, federal agents, and National Guard troops — even as crime numbers suggest the city was already getting safer. Q1. Why did Donald Trump take control of D.C. police? Trump cited rising crime concerns and declared a 'public safety emergency' despite data showing crime is falling. Q2. How much has violent crime dropped in D.C. this year? Police data shows violent crime has fallen by about 26% compared to last year.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
After national guards deployed in D.C, are New York and Los Angeles next? Trump drops a warning
President Donald Trump on Monday took the extraordinary step of federalizing Washington, D.C.'s police force and ordering hundreds of National Guard troops into the nation's capital, declaring what he called a 'public safety emergency' and vowing to 'liberate' the city from what he described as 'out-of-control crime.' But police data tells a sharply different story — violent crime in D.C. has actually fallen 26% this year , with homicides down about 12% compared to 2024. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Why did Trump take over the D.C. police? Invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act — a provision that has never before been used by a sitting president — Trump transferred operational control of the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to the Justice Department for up to 30 days . Attorney General Pam Bondi will oversee the operation, working with newly appointed federal police commissioner Terry Cole. The plan includes up to 800 D.C. National Guard troops, with 100 to 200 on active duty at any given time, patrolling high-crime neighborhoods, transportation hubs, and tourist areas. 'This is Liberation Day,' Trump said from the White House, branding D.C. 'worse than Mexico City' and accusing local leaders of 'surrendering the streets to criminals.' Live Events What does the data say about crime in D.C.? According to MPD statistics, the first half of 2025 has seen some of the lowest violent crime levels in three decades. Crime category Change vs. 2024 Year-to-date notes Violent crime -26% Significant decline citywide Homicides -12% Down from last year's mid-year tally Property crime -8% Slight drop in theft, burglary rates Local officials argue that the numbers reflect ongoing policing reforms and community initiatives, not a crisis requiring federal intervention. How are D.C. leaders responding? Mayor Muriel Bowser called the move 'deeply unsettling and unprecedented' but said the city would comply, acknowledging that the Home Rule Act gives the president broad emergency powers over the capital. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb labeled the takeover 'unlawful' and vowed to explore legal challenges, saying, 'This is not about safety — this is about control.' Several members of the D.C. Council have condemned the move, noting the timing comes as crime is trending downward. What could this mean for other U.S. cities? Trump warned during his remarks that New York City 'could be next' , hinting at similar federal crackdowns if local governments 'fail to protect their citizens.' Legal experts say the D.C. case is unique because the city lacks statehood, making it subject to federal authority in ways other cities are not. But they warn the precedent could embolden the White House to test the limits of federal intervention in local policing elsewhere. The political stakes behind the crackdown The surprise announcement is already fueling political tensions ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Supporters say the president is delivering on his promise to get 'tough on crime,' while critics accuse him of manufacturing a crisis for political gain. For now, D.C.'s streets will see an unprecedented mix of local officers, federal agents, and National Guard troops — even as crime numbers suggest the city was already getting safer. FAQs: Q1. Why did Donald Trump take control of D.C. police? Trump cited rising crime concerns and declared a 'public safety emergency' despite data showing crime is falling. Q2. How much has violent crime dropped in D.C. this year? Police data shows violent crime has fallen by about 26% compared to last year.
Fox News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Man in DC shot and killed hours after Trump federalizes city's police department
A man was shot and killed in Washington, D.C. on Monday, just hours after President Donald Trump announced a federal takeover of the city's police department. The victim was found in the 1200 block of 12th Street NW in Washington, D.C.'s Logan Circle neighborhood around 7 p.m., a Metropolitan Police Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital. "Upon arrival, officers located an adult male, unconscious and not breathing, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. DC Fire and EMS responded and transported the victim to a local hospital, where despite all lifesaving efforts the victim was pronounced dead," the spokesperson added. "Homicide Detectives are investigating." On Monday, Trump said he would federalize the police department and place it under the authority of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi in an effort to address crime. He also said he was activating approximately 800 National Guard troops to "reestablish law, order and public safety" in the capital. Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser called the move "unsettling and unprecedented." "While this action today is unsettling and unprecedented, I can't say that given some of the rhetoric of the past, that we're totally surprised," Bowser said during a news conference. "I can say to D.C. residents that we will continue to operate our government in a way that makes you proud." The District of Columbia Home Rule Act allows Trump to place the city's police department under federal control for up to 30 days. The Washington, D.C. City Council called the temporary takeover a "manufactured intrusion on local authority." "Violent crime in the District is at the lowest rates we've seen in 30 years. Federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department is unwarranted because there is no Federal emergency," the council said in a joint statement. "Further, the National Guard has no public safety training or knowledge of local laws. The Guard's role does not include investigating or solving crimes in the District. Calling out the National Guard is an unnecessary deployment with no real mission." Metropolitan Police Department data shows that while the homicide rate is falling, the last five years saw the greatest number of murders since 2008.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump says he's placing Washington police under federal control and activating the National Guard
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump said Monday he's taking over Washington's police department and activating 800 members of the National Guard in the hopes of reducing crime, even as city officials stressed crime is already falling in the nation's capital. The president, flanked by his attorney general, his defense secretary and the FBI director, said he was declaring a public safety emergency and his administration would be removing homeless encampments. 'We're going to take our capital back,' Donald Trump declared, adding he'd also be 'getting rid of the slums.' For Trump, the effort to take over public safety in Washington reflects an escalation of his aggressive approach to law enforcement. The District of Columbia's status as a congressionally established federal district gives him a unique opportunity to push his tough-on-crime agenda, though he has not proposed solutions to the root causes of homelessness or crime. Attorney General Pam Bondi will assume responsibility for Washington's metro police department, Trump said, as he also railed against potholes and graffiti in the city and called them 'embarrassing.' The president did not provide a timeline for the control of the police department, but he's limited to 30 days under statute. As Trump spoke, demonstrators gathered outside the White House to protest his moves. And local officials rejected the Republican president's depiction of the district as crime-ridden and called his actions illegal. 'The administration's actions are unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful,' District of Columbia Attorney General Brian Schwalb said. 'There is no crime emergency in the District of Columbia." Schwalb, a Democrat, said violent crime in the district reached historic 30-year lows last year and is down another 26% this year. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser said she would follow the law regarding the 'so-called emergency' even as she indicated that Trump's actions were a reason why the District of Columbia should be a state with legal protections from such actions. 'While this action today is unsettling and unprecedented, I can't say that given some of the rhetoric of the past, that we're totally surprised,' Bowser said. Combating crime The president dismissed the idea Washington needed to enlarge its 3,500-officer police force, even as he seeks to have more armed personnel going through the city with the goal of reducing crime. 'What you need is rules and regulations, and you need the right people to implement them,' he said. Trump invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act in an executive order to declare a 'crime emergency' so his administration could take over the city's police force. He signed a directive for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to activate the National Guard. While Trump has portrayed himself as a friend to law enforcement and enjoyed the political backing from many of their groups, he pardoned or commuted the sentences of the 1,500-plus people charged with crimes in the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol riot, including people convicted of assaulting police officers. About 500 federal law enforcement officers are being tasked with deploying throughout the nation's capital as part of Trump's effort to combat crime, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. More than 100 FBI agents and about 40 agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are among federal law enforcement personnel being assigned to patrols in Washington, the person briefed on the plans said. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Marshals Service are contributing officers. The person was not authorized to publicly discuss personnel matters and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity. The Justice Department didn't immediately have a comment Monday morning. The National Guard Bowser, a Democrat, has previously questioned the effectiveness of using the National Guard to enforce city laws and said the federal government could be far more helpful by funding more prosecutors or filling the 15 vacancies on the D.C. Superior Court, some of which have been open for years. Bowser cannot activate the National Guard herself, but she can submit a request to the Pentagon. 'I just think that's not the most efficient use of our Guard,' she said Sunday on MSNBC's 'The Weekend,' acknowledging it is "the president's call about how to deploy the Guard.' Bowser noted that violent crime in Washington has decreased since a rise in 2023. She stressed during a Monday news conference that she believed Trump's views of the city were shaped by the 'challenging times' of the coronavirus pandemic, when he faced protests and crime spiked as the country began to recover from the outbreak. Focusing on homelessness Trump has emphasized the removal of Washington's homeless population, though it was unclear where the thousands of people would go, and he did not give details at his news conference Monday. 'The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY,' Trump wrote Sunday in a social media post. '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 said last week that he was considering ways for the federal government to seize control of Washington, asserting that crime was 'ridiculous' and the city was 'unsafe,' after the recent assault of a high-profile member of the Department of Government Efficiency. Crime statistics Police statistics show homicides, robberies and burglaries are down this year when compared with this time in 2024. Overall, violent crime is down 26% compared with this time a year ago. The president has criticized the district as full of 'tents, squalor, filth, and Crime,' and he seems to have been set off by the attack on Edward Coristine, among the most visible figures of the bureaucracy-cutting effort known as DOGE. Police arrested two 15-year-olds in the attempted carjacking and said they were looking for others. 'This has to be the best run place in the country, not the worst run place in the country,' Trump said Wednesday. He called Bowser 'a good person who has tried, but she has been given many chances.' Trump has repeatedly suggested the rule of Washington could be returned to federal authorities. Doing so would require a repeal of the Home Rule Act of 1973 in Congress, a step Trump said lawyers are examining. Bowser acknowledged the law allows the president to take more control over the city's police, but only if certain conditions are met. 'None of those conditions exist in our city right now," she said. 'We are not experiencing a spike in crime. In fact, we're watching our crime numbers go down.' ___ Associated Press writers Ashraf Khalil, Alanna Durkin Richer, Darlene Superville and Michelle L. Price contributed to this report.
