🇺🇸 President Donald Trump is weighing the deployment of up to 1,000 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., as part of an intensified effort to address crime in the U.S. capital, multiple defense and administration officials confirmed Sunday night. The potential move could be formally announced as early as Monday, following recent statements by the President that “all options are on the table” to restore safety in the District.
While the exact number of troops remains under discussion, officials noted that most personnel would likely be drawn from the D.C. National Guard. No official orders have been signed yet, and the plan is still in the proposal stage. However, the discussion reflects the President’s growing impatience with what he has described as an “unacceptable” crime rate in the city.
The announcement follows Trump’s post on Truth Social, where he pledged that Washington, D.C., would soon become “one of the safest cities in the world.” He has been increasingly vocal about crime in the capital, citing recent violent incidents, including the attempted carjacking of Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency employee, known publicly as “Big Balls.”
Speaking earlier last week, Trump warned he might federalize the District if crime was not brought under control, stating that the city could be placed under direct federal oversight. “We’re going to have to federalize D.C. and run it the way it’s supposed to be run,” he said. “The rate of muggings, killings, and everything else—we’re not going to let it continue. That includes bringing in the National Guard, maybe very quickly, too.”
In an interview with MSNBC on Sunday, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser pushed back against the notion that the city is experiencing a “crime spike,” but acknowledged the President’s prerogative to deploy federal forces or the National Guard if deemed necessary. She noted that she has had several conversations with Trump about crime reduction since he began his second term, including discussions at the White House.
“The President is very aware of our efforts,” Bowser said, adding that a federal task force is already operating in coordination with the Metropolitan Police Department. She speculated that Monday’s announcement might involve a surge in federal law enforcement personnel and potentially a longer-term presence in high-crime neighborhoods.
Federalizing D.C. would require Congress to repeal the Home Rule Act of 1973, which grants the District local autonomy. However, Trump could unilaterally take control of the D.C. police department and activate the National Guard without Congressional action.
The debate over security in the capital comes amid heightened political tensions and a broader national conversation about law and order. While the President frames the possible deployment as a necessary step to protect residents and visitors, critics may see it as a politically charged move that challenges the balance of local and federal authority.
