Breaking: Trump puts DC police under federal control, deploys National Guard

Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he is taking direct federal control of the DC Metropolitan Police Department and ordering the National Guard into the city, saying the measures are intended to quickly restore law and order in the nation’s capital.

Federal Takeover Under the Home Rule Act

Speaking at a White House press conference, Trump invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, a provision that allows a president to assume control of the city’s police force for 48 hours in emergencies deemed of a “special” nature.

“I’m officially invoking section 740… and placing the DC Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control,” Trump said. He claimed the move was in response to a situation that had “gotten out of control” but vowed to “put it in control very quickly, like we did on the southern border.”

The law permits the president to extend control beyond the initial 48-hour period by notifying the chairs and ranking members of the congressional committees responsible for DC oversight. Any request to maintain control for more than 30 days must be approved by Congress.

Trump indicated he plans to go beyond the two-day window, promising to send the required notifications to both Congress and Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Deployment of the National Guard

In addition to the police takeover, Trump announced he would deploy National Guard troops to assist in law enforcement efforts throughout the city.

“We will have full, seamless, integrated cooperation at all levels of law enforcement,” he said. “Officers will have the authority to do whatever they need to restore safety.” Trump added that the plan would not be limited to Washington, saying, “We’re not going to lose our cities over this, and this will go further.”

Broader Agenda on Public Safety and Urban Conditions

Flanked by senior administration officials, the president also pledged to confront homelessness and urban blight in the capital, describing parts of the city as “slums” and vowing to eliminate them. “We have slums here. We’re getting rid of them. I know it’s not politically correct,” Trump said.

While the president did not provide specific details on the conditions that triggered the takeover, his remarks framed the move as part of a broader effort to exert stronger federal control over public safety in Washington, D.C., and potentially other major cities.