Donald Trump (Social media)
International News: US President Donald Trump has declared a public safety emergency in Washington, D.C., announcing that he will assume control of the city’s police department and deploy 800 National Guard soldiers to the capital. He said the measure was necessary to tackle “chaos” and restore law and order and warned that if the situation worsens, he will not hesitate to send in the US military.
Speaking at the White House on Monday, Trump outlined his plan in the presence of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi. He insisted that the capital faced serious threats from violent crime and unrest, describing Washington as a city overrun by criminals and “uncontrolled violence.” He said the National Guard would help local authorities regain control.
The move, however, has come under scrutiny because official figures suggest that violent crime in the capital actually dropped in 2024 to its lowest level in 30 years. Critics argue that Trump’s statements about crime levels are exaggerated and politically driven.
Washington’s Democratic mayor, Muriel Bowser, quickly responded to the president’s remarks, rejecting his portrayal of the city. She pointed out that recent crime data shows significant improvement, not a decline in public safety. Bowser accused Trump of using fear-based narratives to justify unnecessary federal intervention.
Trump’s latest decision coincides with a major court case questioning his administration’s earlier use of the military in domestic law enforcement. On Monday, a federal hearing began in San Francisco to determine whether the president violated a 19th-century law that limits the military’s role in civilian policing.
The case focuses on a previous incident in June, when National Guard troops were sent to Los Angeles following unrest linked to immigration enforcement. The Trump administration also deployed US Marines at that time. Critics allege this violated both the Posse Comitatus Act—a law designed to prevent the military from acting as police—and state authority, because California’s Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, reportedly did not approve the move.
The hearings, overseen by US District Judge Charles Breyer, will determine whether those deployments broke the law. The outcome could set a precedent for how far the federal government can go in sending troops into US cities without state consent.
Under Trump’s new order, National Guard forces will be stationed throughout the capital to support policing, conduct patrols, and respond to emergencies. While their mission is officially to assist, the president’s suggestion that he may send in regular military units has raised concerns about escalating federal control over local law enforcement.
Supporters of Trump’s action argue that it demonstrates decisive leadership and a commitment to public safety. Opponents warn that it risks undermining democratic norms by bypassing local authorities. As legal challenges continue over previous deployments, the president’s latest move could deepen political divisions over the role of federal power in America’s cities.
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