On August 6, 2025, President Donald Trump made headlines by announcing he is considering a federal takeover of Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department and might deploy the National Guard to address crime in the nation’s capital. This dramatic escalation follows his comments just a day earlier, where he hinted at federalizing control of the city’s local government. The catalyst? A recent assault on Edward Coristine, a former staffer of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has fueled Trump’s rhetoric about D.C.’s crime rates.
Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump didn’t mince words. “We’re considering it, yeah, because the crime is ridiculous,” he said when asked about taking over the police department. He referenced Coristine’s attack, describing him as a “beautiful, handsome guy that got the hell knocked out of him.” Trump painted a grim picture of the capital, claiming it’s plagued by “muggings, killings, and everything else.” He vowed to “beautify” the city and make it “the best-run place in the country,” even if it means calling in the National Guard “very quickly.”
But here’s the twist: D.C.’s crime statistics tell a different story. According to preliminary data from the Metropolitan Police Department, violent crime in the city has dropped by 26% in the first seven months of 2025 compared to the previous year, with overall crime down by 7%. This follows a 15% reduction in overall crime from 2023 to 2024. So, why the aggressive push for federal control?
Trump’s remarks aren’t new. He has long expressed frustration with D.C.’s governance, which operates under the 1973 Home Rule Act. This law allows residents to elect their mayor and city council, but Congress retains oversight of the city’s budget and laws. A full federal takeover would require Congress to repeal this act—a tall order requiring votes from both the House and Senate. However, Trump could unilaterally assume control of the police department if he declares a “justifying emergency,” though experts warn this move would likely face legal challenges.
This isn’t the first time Trump has flexed federal muscle in D.C. In 2020, after protests following George Floyd’s murder, he deployed the National Guard to the city despite opposition from Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat. More recently, Trump sent the National Guard to Los Angeles to quell protests over his administration’s immigration policies, a move that sparked controversy and legal battles. A federal judge in California ordered the administration to stop indiscriminate immigration stops, citing racial profiling concerns.
Trump’s allies are backing his latest threats. Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, voiced strong support, saying, “If that’s what we need to do to get it done, that’s what he should do.” Even Elon Musk, former DOGE adviser, chimed in, calling for D.C.’s federalization after Coristine’s assault. Meanwhile, Bowser’s office has stayed silent, declining to comment on the president’s remarks.
The situation raises big questions. Is Trump’s push driven by genuine concern for D.C.’s safety, or is it a power play to assert federal dominance over a city that’s long resisted his influence? Critics argue that federalizing the police or deploying the National Guard could erode local autonomy and escalate tensions, especially given the city’s improving crime stats. Supporters, however, see it as a bold move to restore order in a city that houses the federal government.
As the debate heats up, one thing is clear: Trump’s threats are shaking up D.C.’s political landscape. Whether he follows through—by taking over the police, calling in the National Guard, or pushing for broader control—remains to be seen. But with legal battles looming and a divided public, the nation’s capital is bracing for what’s next.