**Trump Orders National Guard to Washington DC in Crime Crackdown**

Trump claims a "public safety emergency," but local leaders dispute his assessment of the city.

In a bold move, President Donald Trump announced the deployment of 800 National Guard troops to Washington DC to address what he describes as escalating crime and homelessness. Declaring a public safety emergency, Trump indicated he would take control of the city’s police force, amplifying his prior criticisms of local law enforcement and governance.

During a press conference, flanked by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump expressed grave concerns over a perceived lawlessness in the capital, calling the current situation "complete and total lawlessness." The announcement follows rising crime statistics, particularly noting a spike in 2023; however, Mayor Muriel Bowser contested Trump’s representation, asserting that crime rates have significantly decreased from last year, with violent crime reaching a 30-year low.

"I am announcing a historic action to rescue our nation's capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor," Trump proclaimed. His comments included stark rhetoric about Washington, describing it as taken over by "violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, and drugged out maniacs." Nevertheless, data reveals that since 2023, homicides in the city have decreased by 32%, reinforcing Bowser's stance that the city is not witnessing a crime wave.

While 800 troops will be deployed, not all will be active simultaneously, as the defense department confirmed they would support local law enforcement. Trump's actions are predicated on the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, enabling federal control under special emergency conditions—a stipulation contested by Bowser who indicated no such condition currently exists.

The Mayor expressed her concerns about federal intervention and emphasized her administration's efforts to manage crime and homelessness. In a later statement, she labeled Trump's approach "unsettling and unprecedented."

Moreover, Trump’s comments extended to homelessness, asserting that the city would rid itself of "the slums" without outlining detailed plans for affected individuals. Local organizations like So Others Might Eat (SOME) highlighted recent successes in reducing homelessness, indicating a nearly 20% decline in the past five years. Ralph Boyd, the group's CEO, signaled that relocating homeless individuals instead of providing meaningful support would merely shift the issue elsewhere.

Outside the White House, protesters voiced their dissent toward Trump's strategy, chanting phrases like "hands off DC" and critiquing his perceived motives. The President's rigorous stance reflects ongoing frustrations with Washington's democratic leadership regarding their management of urban issues.

This controversy follows Trump's recent social media critiques regarding the state of Washington DC, which have highlighted incidents involving attacks on federal employees and perceived threats to safety. The deployment of the National Guard echoes previous instances, notably following the Capitol riots in January 2021, as Trump seeks to restore what he frames as order in the nation's capital.