President Donald Trump has taken control of Washington DC’s police force and sent National Guard troops to the streets. This marks the first time a president has ever taken over a city’s police department like this. The move happened in August 2025, putting the police under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s control for up to 30 days while over 2,200 National Guard soldiers patrol the city.
The Washington DC operation has led to more than 1,600 arrests since mid-August. Federal officials say crime numbers are going down, though violent crime in DC had already hit 30-year lows in 2024. The troops come from six states whose governors agreed to help, while several Democratic governors have said no to similar offers for their cities.
