Washington, DC, USA; Law enforcement on patrol in the area of Nationals Ball Park on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. Members of the National Guard and federal law enforcement agents are deployed in Washington, D.C. after President Donald Trump announced stepped up enforcement efforts and a federal takeover of DC's police department.
(Washington, DC) – If there are any assurances in life, they can be linked to President Trump. Whatever he proposes, you can bet your bottom dollar that the political left will oppose it. The longstanding joke has been if Trump were to cure cancer, Democrats would complain. Now, as Trump takes active steps to try and end out-of-control crime in Washington, DC — Democrats are crying.
Imagine the shock!
Holding true to his dogged commitment to fighting against the rise in crime and disorder around the US — Trump took bold and decisive action this past week. He ordered that the Washington, DC police department be placed under federal control — and he deployed National Guard members to the nation’s capital — in order to fight crime.
Predictably, the response from the left was as hysterical as it was useless. “Martial law!” some cried. Others said it was a dictatorial order. But many who live in Washington, DC simply said, “thank you.” Even if they had to say it under their breath in order to avoid enraging the leftist mob. In a stunning moment this week, an ABC News anchor (hardly a conservative outlet) admitted she had been accosted and harassed near her TV station. On social media, some people said they were happy Trump took action, because they have so often felt unsafe.
But what about the falling crime numbers!? That’s the cry from so many others that count themselves as dutiful leftists. Well, crime stats can be manipulated and messed with. Host Greg Kelly noted that fact.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi took a step on Friday, aiming to solidify federal control over the DC police. She issued a directive naming DEA Administrator Terry Cole as DC’s emergency police commissioner. The order granted Cole the powers and duties of the District of Columbia chief of police — and any action from the department would require his approval.
In response, DC’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit challenging the order. It argues the Trump White House is “abusing its limited, temporary authority” by assuming control of the Metropolitan Police Department. Schwalb’s lawsuit also argues Trump has “(infringed) on the District’s right to self-governance.” Schwalb’s office also says Congress did not grant the authority to replace DC’s police chief.
Schwalb plainly told the district’s police chief that the “Bondi Order is unlawful,” and “you are not legally obligated to follow it.”
Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser also pushed back against the idea of naming Cole emergency police commissioner. Bowser said there was nothing in the law that would support surrendering authority to a federal official.
Thursday night into Friday, federal agents began clearing out homeless camps within the capital. In the Foggy Bottom neighborhood, agents with both the FBI and Secret Service removed homeless tents. The New York Times reporters say they observed the process. At least one woman showed a city notice — giving her until Monday to vacate. Some homeless residents were given 24-houts to remove belogings.
With National Guard troops on patrol, and local cops under federal authority, President Trump has said it’s about restoring order. He notes that if the capital is disrespected and neglected, the entire nation will be.
More National Guard troops are patrolling the streets of Washington, DC. President Trump says it’s about restoring order. And the crackdown is a 24-7 operation — matching the urgency of the situation. One woman went viral on social media for saying how relieved she felt to be able to stop at a red light with her windows down — without actively worrying she was about to be carjacked.
DC’s police chief issued an executive order Thursday letting officers alert ICE about undocumented immigrants, including during traffic stops. The White House claims that more than 100 arrests have been made since President Trump announced the federal takeover of the police department and the deployment of the National Guard. One man who threw a sandwich at an officer is now facing felony charges as protests against the crackdown have flared in DC streets. Trump says he’s considering taking control of the city’s police force beyond 30 days, potentially through declaring a national emergency. Otherwise, it would require an act of Congress to extend the control.
