U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will send the National Guard to Washington and place the police under federal control.
He described it as a „historic action” aimed at restoring order in the capital, according to CNN.
Trump stated that in order to place the police under direct federal control, he is invoking section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, where American federal institutions such as the White House, Congress, or the Supreme Court are located.
"I officially invoke section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, you know what that is, and I place the DC Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control," Trump declared during a press conference at the White House.
The President told journalists that his actions come as "crime has gotten out of control".
Trump also announced the deployment of National Guard troops to assist local law enforcement.
"I am deploying the National Guard to help restore law, order, and public safety in Washington, and they will be allowed to do their job properly," Trump added.
"Our capital city has been overrun by violent mobs and bloodthirsty criminals," the American President stated.
What the District of Columbia Home Rule Act Provides
The District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 allows the President to assume control of the city's police for 48 hours if he "determines that there are special conditions of an urgent nature," necessitating the use of the department for federal purposes.
The President can retain control of the police department for a longer period if he notifies the presidents and high-ranking members of the congressional committees dealing with legislative matters concerning DC.
Any request for control over the city's police department for a period longer than 30 days must be enacted by law.
The President indicated his intention to extend the term. "I will make the appropriate notifications to Congress and to the mayor," Trump said.
Police officers, Trump said, will have the authority to do "whatever they want," adding that this will extend beyond the nation's capital: "We will not lose our cities."
Trump also promised that he will take aggressive measures to address the issue of homelessness. "We have neighborhoods here. We're getting rid of them," Trump said.
Previously, Trump wrote on Truth Social that "Washington D.C. will be liberated today." A U.S. official stated that up to 800 National Guard members are expected to be mobilized.
What Trump Says and What the Data Shows
According to the President, "the number of car thefts has tripled and crime has reached the highest rate ever recorded," according to The Guardian.
However, the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ), a non-governmental organization, states that the number of car thefts in Washington D.C. peaked in June 2023.
But, when comparing June 2023 to June 2025, car thefts actually decreased by 75%.
Regarding homicides, the city saw a peak in August 2023, but it decreased by 65% in June 2025.
Overall, the homicide rate in Washington D.C. decreased by 19% in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year, according to the CCJ.