President Donald Trump’s federal-led crime crackdown in Washington, D.C., has resulted in over 1,914 arrests since August 7, with more than 70 individuals detained on Thursday alone. Among the arrests were an illegal immigrant from El Salvador on a terrorist watchlist, a Colombian gang member associated with the Florencia 13 gang, and several others with criminal records including assault, drug trafficking, and violent offenses. Federal agents, including the FBI and National Guard, have been deployed to D.C. to combat rising crime, with the operation also leading to the rescue of six missing children since the crackdown began.
The White House attributes the surge in arrests to Trump’s ‘tough-on-crime’ policies, which have reportedly restored law and order to the capital. Critics, however, argue the approach is unconstitutional and unnecessary, as crime data show a decline since the 2020 surge, and question the legality of the federalized enforcement. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll has extended the National Guard’s presence in D.C. through November 30 to support ongoing efforts to restore order, according to recent reports. Meanwhile, local leaders, including Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, have condemned the measures as overreach, calling them illegal and un-American.
This crackdown follows Trump’s decision to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department in August, invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to assume emergency control of the local police force. The move came amid a series of high-profile killings and attacks in the city, which the administration claims have been exacerbated by a spike in violent crime since 2020. The White House has touted the operation as a success, citing the removal of over 2,000 dangerous criminals, as well as the seizure of firearms and illegal drugs. However, opponents argue that the federal intervention has drawn unnecessary attention to a city that has already seen a reduction in violent crime.
Despite the White House’s claims of progress, the situation remains contentious. Federal law enforcement has faced criticism for overstepping its authority, with some officials suggesting that the crackdown is more of a political move than a genuine effort to curb crime. Meanwhile, the National Guard’s involvement has raised concerns about the militarization of law enforcement in urban areas. As the operation continues, the debate over the legality and effectiveness of federal intervention in local policing is expected to intensify, particularly as Trump has hinted at expanding the policy to other cities like Chicago and Baltimore.