National Guard Bolsters DC Presence as Trump Seeks Permanent Federal Police Control
National Guard Bolsters DC Presence as Trump Seeks Permanent Federal Police Control
Washington D.C. is witnessing a significant increase in National Guard presence, with soldiers from the 273rd Military Police Company conducting patrol operations, primarily around the National Mall and federal monuments. This deployment, which began ramping up overnight Wednesday into Thursday, August 14, 2025, follows President Donald Trump’s declaration of a public safety emergency earlier this week.
Amidst the ongoing deployment, President Trump announced his intent to seek ‘long-term’ federal control over the Washington, D.C. police force. Speaking on Wednesday, August 13, Trump stated he would ask Congress for an extension beyond the current 30-day emergency authorization, which temporarily places the local law enforcement under federal authority.
Trump emphasized his commitment to combating crime in the nation’s capital, despite police statistics indicating a decline in violent crime over the past two years. He also outlined broader plans to ‘make Washington beautiful,’ including redoing roads, medians, removing graffiti and tents, and renovating parks, for which he intends to seek congressional funding.
The deployment involves approximately 800 activated soldiers, though residents will typically see shifts of 100 to 200 troops at a time, with some assigned to administrative and logistical roles. Officials confirmed that the operations transitioned to round-the-clock, 24/7 presence beginning Wednesday night. On Tuesday night, over 1,450 federal law enforcement officers and National Guard members patrolled the city, leading to 43 arrests.
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