In Washington, D.C., teenagers express feelings of unsafety stemming from the federal police takeover. Young residents, like a college freshman, reported feeling nervous and intimidated by the increased presence of federal officers. Despite the city’s prior increase in crime rates, including youth crime, teens shared that the federal government’s actions, described by officials as a hostile takeover, made them more concerned. Youth voices and youth advocates explained that the federal response is punishing the entire youth population for the actions of a small group, and that the focus should be on the underlying issues contributing to the problem.
Read More
National Guard members deployed to Washington, D.C., as part of the president’s crime initiative may now be armed, though they are not authorized to make arrests. The decision to arm the Guard represents a shift from previous guidance, with the initial plan being for them not to carry weapons. The National Guard’s mission is to protect federal assets, support law enforcement, and deter crime. Over the weekend, several states announced they would also be deploying National Guard members to D.C. at the administration’s request.
Read More
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has authorized the deployment of 150 Ohio National Guard members to Washington D.C. to support the D.C. National Guard. This action follows a request from the Secretary of the Army, and the Ohio National Guard members will conduct presence patrols and augment security. The deployment is part of a broader trend as other Republican-led states also send troops to the nation’s capital, driven by President Trump’s efforts to increase federal control over policing in D.C.
Read More
Trump has accused Democrats of paying protestors to counter his efforts to combat crime, labeling them as criminals unfit for office. To address a perceived crime wave, Trump mobilized 800 National Guard members and federalized the capital’s police force, despite citing outdated crime statistics. Notably, violent crime in Washington D.C. has significantly decreased in 2024, challenging Trump’s justification for the intervention. This action was taken in the wake of an attack on a DOGE staffer.
Read More
Democrats introduce measure to terminate Trump’s D.C. takeover, a move that feels like a long-awaited response. It’s a show of force, signaling the party’s strong opposition to what’s seen as an unprecedented power grab. While the chances of this measure succeeding might be slim, the message it sends is clear: Democrats are not going to stand idly by.
This resolution, spearheaded by key figures like Rep. Jamie Raskin and Sen. Chris Van Hollen, directly challenges the “crime emergency” Trump declared, allowing him to temporarily federalize the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department. The core argument is that this action goes against the Home Rule Act, and that Trump doesn’t have the authority to federalize the MPD in this manner.… Continue reading
President Trump’s administration took control of Washington D.C.’s police department, sparking immediate legal challenges. The Justice Department appointed a federal official to oversee the police, leading the city to sue, citing the move as illegal and a threat to law and order. The takeover, which the city’s attorney general argued was an affront to its autonomy, has increased the federal presence in the city and is the latest action in a series of moves by Trump to test the limits of his legal authorities. Protests erupted, demonstrating the city’s resistance to federal control and highlighting tensions over immigration and policing policies.
Read More
President Trump has stated that the data showing a decrease in crime rates in Washington, D.C., is false and has announced plans to release his own crime statistics to counter the city’s official figures. This announcement follows the deployment of 800 National Guard troops and the White House’s control over the metropolitan police, leading to public backlash and concerns. Despite official data indicating a decline in homicides, assaults, burglaries, and robberies, Trump maintains that the situation is worsening, citing an investigation into a police commander for alleged manipulation of crime statistics. The mayor has stated that the issues were contained with the one police commander, though Trump believes that the mayor asked for the numbers to be falsified.
Read More
Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) revealed on Fox News that he does not wear a seatbelt while driving in Washington, D.C., due to concerns about carjacking, despite the city’s mandatory seatbelt law. Mullin cited the high rate of car theft in the capital as justification, claiming he needs to be able to “exit in a hurry” if faced with a carjacking. He also praised former President Trump’s deployment of National Guard members and increased control over the Metropolitan Police Department in response to rising crime rates. A violation of the seatbelt ordinance in D.C. carries a $50 fine.
Read More
President Trump stated that he may not require congressional approval to extend the federal control of Washington, D.C., claiming the local crime situation could constitute a national emergency, despite his own police force reporting a decrease in violent crime. He announced his intent to seek extensions beyond the initial 30-day timeframe. Trump plans to present a crime bill, initially focused on D.C., and suggested that the Republicans in Congress will unanimously approve the extension. He also dismissed reports of crime statistics and claimed the crime situation is dire.
Read More
During a Kennedy Center event, President Trump shifted focus from announcing honorees to discussing renovations in Washington D.C., specifically focusing on park improvements and the quality of the grass. He expressed his expertise on grass, citing his experience with golf courses, and also praised the architecture of the Kennedy Center itself. Trump’s remarks coincided with the unveiling of plans to revitalize the nation’s capital, including deploying the National Guard and federalizing the police, alongside renovations at the White House. His vision for Washington, DC reflects a desire to exert control over the city.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood