Can the president really temporarily federalize the Washington, D.C., police force in an effort to reduce the rampant crime occurring in the city? Is that actually legal?
President Donald Trump has sent Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and hundreds of National Guard troops into Washington to “pursue and arrest every violent criminal in the district who breaks the law, undermines public safety, and endangers law-abiding Americans,” according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
The move was welcomed by the police union chief, who said that the union “supports the president’s announcement … to assume temporary control of the MPD [Metropolitan Police Department] in response to the escalating crime crisis in Washington, D.C.”
However, Mayor Muriel Bowser seemed less enthusiastic when she said it was “unsettling and unprecedented” and stated, “My message to residents is this: We know that access to our democracy is tenuous.”
This is awesome… DC Residents posting videos of them at stop lights with their windows down again because they are safer already!!
— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) August 15, 2025
pic.twitter.com/eWXOvPgpS4
The Daily Signal spoke with former Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli about the president’s actions, what they can accomplish, and their possible repercussions.
Listen here:
Joe Thomas is The Daily Signal’s Virginia correspondent. He is a 37-year broadcasting veteran with 17 years covering Virginia from the marches to the memorials and everything in between. Original here.
MANY D.C. residents are loving that Trump is making the city safe.
— American AF 🇺🇸 (@iAnonPatriot) August 14, 2025
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/KKczFmZMFn
Another Happy DC Resident thanks to President Trump! pic.twitter.com/KIPUi2XNrm
— Matt Couch (@RealMattCouch) August 15, 2025
Trump has finally made DC safe Again !!
— Caroline (@car_oline2001) August 14, 2025
Source:@thecjpearson pic.twitter.com/KMJIIpjgbN
