U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday following that he will deploy 800 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and temporarily assumed federal control of the city’s police department.
Trump said the move was intended to address what he described as a surge in “lawlessness” in the capital. He claimed the city had been overtaken by gangs and criminals.
This announcement then has fanned out hundreds of officers and agents from over a dozen federal agencies throughout Washington.
Trump also assigned Attorney General Pam Bondi to oversee the Metropolitan Police Department.
According to the U.S. Army, the National Guard troops between 100 and 200 will handle administrative and logistical duties and provide a physical presence in support of local law enforcement.
Meanwhile, Trump also suggested that other Democrat-led cities, including Chicago, could face similar measures.
Data shows that violent crime in Washington spiked in 2023, making it one of the deadliest cities in the country. However, crime fell in the first seven months of 2025, according to the city police through Reuters.