Some of the 800 members of the National Guard deployed by President Donald Trump began to come to the capital of the national, after the President’s step took control of the city police department. Administration says that the step is to fight crime, even if the city officials question the need.
Trump announced on Monday the activation of the guards and claimed that Washington faced an “emergency crime”. He called the capital of the “illegal city” and promised to “take our capital back”.
The city officials say that data tells a different story. The violent crime in Washington dropped to a 30 -year minimum after a sharp increase in 2023. Carjackings in 2024 fell by about 50% and this year is falling again.
Bowser is pushing back
Mayor Muriel Bowser called Trump’s move “not a productive step” and described it as a “emergency situation”. She stressed that her administration must be observed under federal law.
“We could think of it,” said Bowser, “but his authority is quite wide.”
She added, “I will work every day to make sure it is not a complete disaster.”
Legal authority under the Home Rule Act
According to Section 740 of the 1973 Home Rule Act, the President may take control of Washington’s police for 48 hours, prolonged for 30 days, during an emergency situation. According to the DC chapter of the American Union of Civil Freedoms, no president had performed this power before.
DC debate about statehood
Bowser used a moment to emphasize Washington’s lack of full autonomy and combined Trump’s takeover with a wider pressure on DC statehood.
“We know that the approach to our democracy is weak,” she said. “That’s why you have heard me and many many Washingtons in front of me advocate the full statehood of the Columbia district.”
(Tagstotranslate) deployment of the National Guard in Washington DC
