Trump orders federal law enforcement to patrol DC
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Federal law enforcement officers will patrol the streets of Washington, D.C., for the next seven days, the White House announced on Thursday.
The enhanced federal presence will begin at midnight. It will be led by the U.S. Park Police and will include officers and agents from the FBI, DEA, ATF, divisions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other agencies. The White House said the federal law enforcement will be in marked units.
The announcement comes a day after President Trump said he was considering taking control of the Washington, D.C., police department in the wake of a violent attack on a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer.
“Washington, DC is an amazing city, but it has been plagued by violent crime for far too long. President Trump has directed an increased presence of federal law enforcement to protect innocent citizens. Starting tonight, there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C.," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "President Trump is committed to making our Nation’s capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors from all around the world.”
Trump has often found himself at odds with Washington, D.C., expressing frustration about crime and homelessness. He has repeatedly threatened to take control of the city throughout his second term.
Crime in D.C. was down 35 percent in 2024 from the previous year, marking a 30-year low, and data from the district the downward trend continuing.
Still, the issue came up again after Edward Coristine, a former DOGE staffer nicknamed “Big Balls,” was attacked in earlier this week. Police said two 15-year-olds had been arrested in the attempted carjacking.
Thursday's order came after a March executive order establishing the Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force “to ensure effective federal participation” in the enforcement of immigration laws and redirecting resources to apprehend and deport migrants in Washington, as well as monitoring its sanctuary-city status to comply with federal immigration laws.
NewsNation's Kellie Meyer contributed to this report.
Updated at 9:25 p.m.