Over the past week, Trump has accused local leaders of failing to keep the city safe despite official crime stats showing violent crime down 26% in the first seven months of 2025 and overall crime down 7%. But the president says the numbers don’t reflect what’s really happening on the streets.
“The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital. The Criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”
Also Read: It’s Over in a Week: Trump and Israel Agree to End Gaza War Amid Global Pressure
Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser rejected Trump’s claims, saying the city is not in the middle of a crime spike and highlighting that violent crime is at a 30-year low. Still, she admitted gun violence remains a concern.
Trump called Bowser “a good person who has tried” but insisted she’s been given too many chances while “crime numbers continue to worsen.”
Behind the scenes, Trump is preparing a controversial move: deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to Washington. A U.S. official told Reuters the final decision hasn’t been made, but it’s part of a broader plan that could include stripping D.C. of its local autonomy.
The District currently operates under the Home Rule Act, which allows residents to elect their own mayor and council but Congress retains ultimate authority. Trump says his lawyers are looking into overturning it, which would require congressional approval.
Last week, Trump ordered a surge of federal law enforcement into the city. More than 450 officers from agencies including the FBI, DEA, ATF, and ICE have been deployed to “high-traffic tourist areas and known hotspots.” A White House official says arrests have already been made.
Critics are asking what legal authority Trump has to forcibly remove people from the city, given his control only over federal property. Supporters argue that drastic action is needed to curb crime and homelessness.
Trump has long used crime in cities as a political rallying point. His comments recall his infamous 1989 push for the death penalty in the Central Park jogger case, where five Black and Latino teens were later exonerated.
The president will lay out more details in a press conference at 10 a.m. Monday and all eyes will be on how far he’s willing to go in challenging Washington’s autonomy.
Also Read: Trump to Meet Putin for High-Stakes Peace Talks on Ukraine
Follow us on X @Dobblog1
No comments:
Post a Comment
Join the conversation by leaving a comment below. Keep it respectful, relevant, and on-topic - we love hearing from our readers!