Trump Threatens National Emergency in D.C. Over ICE Standoff as Federal Control Deepens

President Donald Trump has escalated tensions in Washington D.C., threatening to declare a national emergency and federalize the capital after Mayor Muriel Bowser’s police department indicated it would cease cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The president’s latest threat, issued on Monday, September 15, follows his August deployment of thousands of National Guard troops and federal law enforcement to the city. This move was justified as necessary to “re-establish law, order, and public safety” amidst concerns over crime. Trump asserted on Truth Social that the federal presence had led to a significant drop in crime, claiming the city was “absolutely booming” and experiencing “virtually NO CRIME” for the first time in decades.

The dispute centers on the sharing of information regarding individuals living in or entering the U.S. illegally. Critics view Trump’s actions, including earlier placing the metropolitan police department under direct federal control, as a significant overreach of federal power.

While Mayor Bowser had previously praised the initial federal surge for its impact on crime reduction, her office has now signaled non-cooperation with ICE. Trump, however, warned that a halt in cooperation would cause “Crime to come roaring back,” and vowed to protect D.C. residents and businesses by invoking emergency powers if necessary, blaming “Radical Left Democrats” for pressuring Bowser.

The D.C. National Guard, unlike state National Guard units, reports directly to the president, adding another layer to the federal government’s direct influence over the capital’s security and governance.

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