Latest news with #FederalTroops
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Trump administration partially retreats from a takeover of Washington's police. Here's what to know
Federal troops are patrolling the National Mall and neighborhoods across Washington while President Donald Trump 's administration exerts extraordinary power over law enforcement in the nation's capital. But the administration backed down from an attempt to take over the city's police department by installing its own emergency police commissioner after a federal judge indicated she would rule against it. The partial retreat interrupted one aspect of the most sweeping uses of federal authority over a local government in modern times. How it will play out and whether the federal government will use this experience as a potential blueprint for dealing with other cities remains up in the air. Here's what to know about the situation and what might come next: Why is Trump taking over the police in DC? The Republican president this week announced he's taking control over Washington's police department and activating National Guard troops to reduce crime, an escalation of his aggressive approach to law enforcement. But District of Columbia officials say the action isn't needed, pointing out that violent crime in the district reached historic 30-year lows last year and is down significantly again this year. Can he do that? D.C.'s status as a congressionally established federal district gives Trump a window to assert more control over the district than other cities. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser didn't offer much resistance at first, allowing city workers to clear homeless encampments and work closely with federal immigration agents. But on Friday, the heavily Democratic district asked for an emergency court order blocking Trump officials from putting a federal official in charge of D.C. police. So, who is in charge of police in Washington? The Trump administration on Friday agreed to leave the Washington, D.C., police chief in control of the department. That came one day after Attorney General Pam Bondi said the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration would take over the police chief's duties, including authority over orders issued to officers. The two sides sparred in court for hours before U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes after the city sued to stop the order. The judge indicated the law likely doesn't grant the Trump administration power to fully take over city police, but it probably does give the president more power than the city might like. She pushed the two sides to compromise, promising to issue a court order temporarily blocking the administration from naming a new chief if they couldn't agree. But while Attorney General Pam Bondi agreed to leave the police chief in charge, she directed the District's police to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement regardless of any city law. What's at stake The showdown in Washington is the latest attempt by Trump to test the boundaries of his legal authority to carry out his tough-on-crime agenda, relying on obscure statutes and a supposed state of emergency to speed up the mass deportation of people in the United States illegally. What are the federal troops doing in DC? About 800 National Guard troops are being activated, with Humvees parked along the Washington Monument and near Union Station. Troops have been spotted standing outside baseball's Nationals Park and neighborhood restaurants. The White House says guard members aren't making arrests but are protecting law enforcement officers who are making arrests and helping deter violent crime. Trump says one of the objectives will be moving homeless people far from the city. How long can this go on? Trump has the authority to do this for 30 days and says he might look into extending it. But that would require congressional approval. Whether Republicans in Congress would go along with that is unclear. Some D.C. residents have protested against the increased police presence. For some, the action echoes uncomfortable historical chapters when politicians used language to paint predominantly Black cities with racist narratives to shape public opinion and justify police action. Will Trump try to take control in other US cities? Washington is very different from any other American city, and the rules that govern it give the federal government much more control than it would have anywhere else. Whether Trump is using this as a blueprint for how to approach cities — largely Democratic cities — that he wants to exert more control over remains to be seen.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Washington Post
President Trump ramps up takeover of Washington's police department. Here's what to know
Federal troops are patrolling the National Mall and neighborhoods across Washington in President Donald Trump's extraordinary takeover of the police department in the nation's capital. Now the Trump administration is moving to install its own emergency police commissioner, a big step forward in one of the most sweeping uses of federal authority over a local government in modern times. While Washington went to court on Friday to block Trump's takeover , how it will play out and whether the federal government views this as a potential blueprint for dealing with other cities remains up in the air. Here's what to know about the situation and what might come next: The Republican president this week announced he's taking control over Washington's police department and activating National Guard troops to reduce crime, an escalation of his aggressive approach to law enforcement. But District of Columbia officials say the action isn't needed, pointing out that violent crime in the district reached historic 30-year lows last year and is down significantly again this year. D.C.'s status as a congressionally established federal district gives Trump a window to assert more control over the the district than other cities. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser didn't offer much resistance at first, allowing city workers to clear homeless encampments and work closely with federal immigration agents. But on Friday, the heavily Democratic district asked for an emergency court order blocking Trump officials from putting a federal official in charge of D.C. police. Right now, it's unsettled. Trump's administration announced Thursday that the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration will take over the police chief's duties, including authority over orders issued to officers. It's unclear where the move leaves the city's current police chief, Pamela Smith , who works for the mayor. Smith says upending the command structure would be a 'dangerous' threat to law and order. The showdown in Washington is the latest attempt by Trump to test the boundaries of his legal authority to carry out his tough-on-crime agenda , relying on obscure statutes and a supposed state of emergency to speed up the mass deportation of people in the United States illegally. About 800 National Guard troops are being activated, with Humvees parked along the Washington Monument and near Union Station. Troops have been spotted standing outside baseball's Nationals Park and neighborhood restaurants. The White House says guard members aren't making arrests but are protecting law enforcement officers who are making arrests and helping deter violent crime. Trump says one of the objectives will be moving homeless people far from the city. Trump has the authority to do this for 30 days and says he might look into extending it. But that would require congressional approval. Whether Republicans in Congress would go along with that is unclear. Some D.C. residents have protested against the increased police presence . For some, the action echoes uncomfortable historical chapters when politicians used language to paint predominantly Black cities with racist narratives to shape public opinion and justify police action. Washington is very different from any other American city, and the rules that govern it give the federal government much more control than it would have anywhere else. Whether Trump is using this as a blueprint for how to approach cities — largely Democratic cities — that he wants to exert more control over remains to be seen.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
President Trump ramps up takeover of Washington's police department. Here's what to know
Federal troops are patrolling the National Mall and neighborhoods across Washington in President Donald Trump's extraordinary takeover of the police department in the nation's capital. Now the Trump administration is moving to install its own emergency police commissioner, a big step forward in one of the most sweeping uses of federal authority over a local government in modern times. While Washington went to court on Friday to block Trump's takeover, how it will play out and whether the federal government views this as a potential blueprint for dealing with other cities remains up in the air. Here's what to know about the situation and what might come next: Why is Trump taking over the police in DC? The Republican president this week announced he's taking control over Washington's police department and activating National Guard troops to reduce crime, an escalation of his aggressive approach to law enforcement. But District of Columbia officials say the action isn't needed, pointing out that violent crime in the district reached historic 30-year lows last year and is down significantly again this year. Can he do that? D.C.'s status as a congressionally established federal district gives Trump a window to assert more control over the the district than other cities. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser didn't offer much resistance at first, allowing city workers to clear homeless encampments and work closely with federal immigration agents. But on Friday, the heavily Democratic district asked for an emergency court order blocking Trump officials from putting a federal official in charge of D.C. police. So who is in charge of police in Washington? Right now, it's unsettled. Trump's administration announced Thursday that the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration will take over the police chief's duties, including authority over orders issued to officers. It's unclear where the move leaves the city's current police chief, Pamela Smith, who works for the mayor. Smith says upending the command structure would be a 'dangerous' threat to law and order. What's at stake The showdown in Washington is the latest attempt by Trump to test the boundaries of his legal authority to carry out his tough-on-crime agenda, relying on obscure statutes and a supposed state of emergency to speed up the mass deportation of people in the United States illegally. What are the federal troops doing in DC? About 800 National Guard troops are being activated, with Humvees parked along the Washington Monument and near Union Station. Troops have been spotted standing outside baseball's Nationals Park and neighborhood restaurants. The White House says guard members aren't making arrests but are protecting law enforcement officers who are making arrests and helping deter violent crime. Trump says one of the objectives will be moving homeless people far from the city. How long can this go on? Trump has the authority to do this for 30 days and says he might look into extending it. But that would require congressional approval. Whether Republicans in Congress would go along with that is unclear. Some D.C. residents have protested against the increased police presence. For some, the action echoes uncomfortable historical chapters when politicians used language to paint predominantly Black cities with racist narratives to shape public opinion and justify police action. Will Trump try to take control in other US cities? Washington is very different from any other American city, and the rules that govern it give the federal government much more control than it would have anywhere else. Whether Trump is using this as a blueprint for how to approach cities — largely Democratic cities — that he wants to exert more control over remains to be seen.
Daily Mail
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Gavin Newsom says Trump is not 'all there' mentally and SOBS while accusing the president of making his teen daughter cry during LA riots
California Governor Gavin Newsom continued his all out-messaging war against President Donald Trump after he decided to send federal troops to California to help quell the riots in Los Angeles. Newsom painted himself and his family as a victim of Trump's aggressive posture toward California, revealing that the president made his teenage daughter cry. 'I have a 15-year-old who quite literally came home from school crying because she was told on her last day of school — God as my witness — because she was told her daddy was getting arrested,' Newsom revealed on The Daily podcast hosted by the New York Times. Newsom grew emotional as he spoke about the incident, his already hoarse voice cracking. He was referring to a comment that Trump made to reporters after he was asked if the governor should be arrested by his immigration czar Tom Homan. 'I would do it if I were Tom. I think it's great. Gavin likes the publicity but I think it would be a great thing,' Trump said, when he returned to the White House from Camp David on Monday. Newsom followed up by defying the president, daring him to follow through on his promise. 'I told the President, get it over with. Arrest me,' he said in an interview. Newsom also questioned Trump's mental state in a recent interview after speaking with him on the phone. 'He's lost it. He's lost a step. I saw him trip on the steps today. He is not the same person that I dealt with just four years ago, and he's incapable of even a train of thought,' Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender, told FOXLA in an interview. The White House mocked Newsom's newfound concern about the president's health. '[R]ich, coming from Gavin Newsom, who in this past election tried to gaslight and lied to the American public about Joe Biden's decline,' White House communications director Steven Cheung told Axios on Thursday. The California governor also lamented that the president started calling him by the nickname 'Newscum.' 'Yeah, it's the president of United States calling someone scum, Newscum, which is, for what it's worth, what I think a seventh grader used to call me on Baltimore Street in Corte Madera, California,' he said. Newsom blamed the president for the violent riots in Los Angeles as protestors burned cars and waved Mexican flags. The LA protests descended into chaos as people continued to fight against ICE in California. 'These are images that Donald Trump created … he wants to divide us, he wants to attack the rule of law, he wants to attack Democracy,' Newsom said to FOXLA. The California governor continues to position politically against the president, insisting Trump went to far by calling the National Guard and federal troops to help quell the riots. 'He's not for peacemaking, he's here for war, he wants a civil war on the streets of America,' Newsom said. He also mocked Trump's military parade scheduled on Saturday to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army. 'He's going to be out there in his little birthday suit on Saturday, and he's going to do his dictator Kim Jong Un parade and try to one-up Putin so Putin feels threatened,' Newsom said. 'Weakness, that's all that is, masquerading as strength. And I get that. I'm not naive about that, but I'm not backing down.'
