WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is placing the DC Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and deploying National Guard troops to the city, an extraordinary step he said was aimed at restoring order in the nation’s capital.
“I’m officially invoking section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act … and placing the DC Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “Something’s out of control, but we’re going to put it in control very quickly, like we did on the southern border.”
Trump also said National Guard forces would work alongside law enforcement. “I’m deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law, order and public safety in Washington, DC, and they’re going to be allowed to do their job properly,” he said.
The Home Rule Act of 1973 grants the president authority to assume command of the city’s police for 48 hours in cases of emergency, with extensions permitted if Congress is notified. Control beyond 30 days requires legislation. Trump indicated he intends to extend the federalization beyond the initial window, promising to notify Congress and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
“We will have full, seamless, integrated cooperation at all levels of law enforcement, and will deploy officers across the district with an overwhelming presence,” he said, adding officers would have authority to do “whatever the hell they want.”
Flanked by senior administration officials, Trump also pledged to take “aggressive action” against homelessness and urban blight in the capital. “We have slums here. We’re getting rid of them. I know it’s not politically correct,” he said.
