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.

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.”

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.