Trump Deploys 800 National Guard Troops to U.S. Capital, Takes Control of D.C. Police
US President Donald Trump said on Monday he was deploying 800 National Guard troops to the U.S. capital and putting Washington’s police department under federal control to combat what he said was a wave of lawlessness, according to Reuters news agency.
“I’m deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law, order and public safety in Washington, D.C.,” Trump told reporters at the White House, flanked by administration officials including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals.”
Hundreds of officers and agents from over a dozen federal agencies, including the FBI, ICE, DEA and ATF, have fanned out across the city in recent days.
Trump said he would also send in the U.S. military “if needed,” and Hegseth said he was prepared to call in additional National Guard troops from outside Washington. Bondi will oversee the police force takeover, Trump said.
In making his announcement, Trump described Washington as a hellscape of bloodthirsty criminals and unchecked violence.
Over the past week, Trump has intensified his messaging, suggesting he might attempt to strip the city of its local autonomy and implement a full federal takeover.
