President Donald Trump has invoked the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to bring the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control — a rare and highly contentious move. The President also announced the deployment of the National Guard to the capital to “re-establish law, order, and public safety.”
“I’m deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law, order and public safety in Washington, D.C.,” Trump said at the White House, flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals.”
🚨 President Trump announces he is invoking the D.C. Home Rule Act to place the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and deploy the National Guard.
“This is Liberation Day in D.C. — and we’re going to take our capital BACK.” pic.twitter.com/aqov60mrCW
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 11, 2025
Pam Bondi to Oversee Federal Takeover
Attorney General Pam Bondi will oversee the transition of the city’s police force to federal control. Trump emphasized the move will allow law enforcement to operate “without restriction” in tackling crime.
National Guard’s Role
The National Guard will provide logistics, transportation, and operational support, freeing up local police for arrests. This mirrors Trump’s earlier deployment of the Guard in Los Angeles to aid immigration enforcement — a move that sparked political backlash and protests.
Legal Authority for Federal Control
Under the Home Rule Act, the President can temporarily take control of D.C.’s police during emergencies. The measure overrides local authority, including the elected mayor and council, in matters of public safety.
Focus on Crime and Homelessness
Trump linked the decision to rising violent crime and homelessness in the capital.
“You want to be able to leave your apartment or your house where you live and feel safe and go into a store to buy a newspaper or buy something, and you don’t have that now,” he said.
Federal Agencies Already Mobilized
Even before the announcement, hundreds of federal officers from the FBI, ICE, DEA, ATF, and other agencies had been deployed across D.C. Trump posted on social media ahead of the press conference that the nation’s capital would be “LIBERATED today!” and vowed to end the “days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people.”
Part of a Broader Law Enforcement Agenda
The move marks the next phase of Trump’s law enforcement strategy, following his aggressive border security push. It comes just days after he pledged new measures to address public safety in D.C., sparking concern from city officials about the use of federal forces on local streets.
