Trump to activate National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C. 

August 11,2025

RED FM News Desk

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Monday that he will deploy hundreds of National Guard troops to the streets of Washington, D.C., as part of an effort to curb violent crime, despite local police data showing a significant drop in such incidents this year. 

Trump is also moving to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department, putting the city’s police force under direct federal control, with leadership reporting to the president. 

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump described the capital as a crime-ridden area that needs a strong federal response to control “bloodthirsty” criminals and “drugged-out maniacs.” He said, “This is liberation day in D.C. and we’re going to take our capital back. This is a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, squalor and worse.” 

This announcement comes even as data shows local crime-fighting efforts have been effective. According to D.C. police figures, violent crime is down about 26 percent year-to-date compared to the same period in 2024, with notable decreases in sexual assault, robbery, and assaults involving weapons. 

So far this year, there have been roughly 1,600 violent incidents reported in the city of around 700,000 people, compared to 2,140 at the same point last year. Additionally, 2024 was not considered an especially violent year. 

Trump stated that he is using Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to authorize the deployment of National Guard members. 

Around 500 federal law enforcement officers are being assigned to patrol the capital as part of this administration’s crime-fighting initiative, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to The Associated Press. 

Among the federal personnel deployed are over 100 FBI agents and approximately 40 agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The Drug Enforcement Administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Marshals Service are also contributing officers to the patrol efforts.