THE Donald Trump announced on Monday (11.08.2025) the development of 800 National Guard troops in its city Washingtonwith the aim of supporting local and federal law enforcement forces.
President Donald Trump also activated a rare legal process, setting the Washington Metropolitan Police Department under immediate federal control.
“The Metropolitan Police and the Federal Authorities will be supported by the 800 members of the National Guard we will send. And much more, if needed, “he said at a press conference, accusing the capital of being” occupied by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals. “
President Trump announces that he’s putting Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department under “direct federal control” and will be deploying the National Guard “to help reestablish law, order and public safety” in the city.
“We’re going to take our capital back,” he says.… pic.twitter.com/R3Jecd130d
— CBS News (@CBSNews) August 11, 2025
A controversial decision
According to Defense Minister Pitt Hegschez, National Guard units are expected to arrive in the capital next week. Trump said he wanted to “restore law, order and public security”, allowing forces to “do their job properly”.
On Sunday, he had already called for the immediate removal of the homeless from Washington. “This is a state of complete anarchy and we will get rid of the camps,” he said, calling on the homeless to leave the city.
Possible extension to other cities
The president warned that his action would not be confined to Washington, where he declared an emergency. “We start very dynamically in the capital and we will clean it very quickly,” he said.
In June, it had already mobilized the National Guard in California, despite the objections of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, following demonstrations against the arrests of immigrants by the Federal Immigration and Customs Service (ICE).
Unlike the 50 US states, Washington operates under a special regime that limits its autonomy and allows the federal government to intervene directly with its police.