Trump Declares Public Safety Emergency in Washington D.C.
Following President Donald Trump’s declaration of a ‘Public Safety Emergency’ on Monday, hundreds of federal agents and National Guard members have been deployed to patrol Washington, D.C. The president’s move to place local police under federal control has raised disputes with city authorities, reports 24brussels.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have established checkpoints and increased law enforcement patrols across the city. These actions are part of an intensified effort to address what Trump refers to as a burgeoning crime wave.
On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that 19 agencies are collaborating under a task force created by Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. During initial operations, agents made 45 arrests for varying degrees of assault and detained 29 undocumented immigrants, many of whom had final deportation orders.
Trump’s declaration led to the activation of approximately 800 National Guard troops, aimed at “restoring public order.” He invoked a clause of the Home Rule Act, which has governed Washington’s autonomy since 1973, in justifying his actions. The president warned of forthcoming initiatives to dismantle homeless encampments and announced a crackdown on juvenile offenders he alleges are terrorizing the capital.
On Wednesday, Trump sought an extension of federal control over law enforcement, arguing that the legally mandated 30-day period is insufficient to combat crime. He stated that further measures must be taken to ensure safety in the district.
In response to Trump’s actions, a coalition advocating for the rights of homeless individuals condemned the administration’s plans for what they termed the “illegal and inhumane imprisonment” of homeless individuals, slated to commence Friday morning. The coalition highlighted the critical shortage of shelter space for the approximately 900 individuals living outdoors in the city and criticized the criminalization of homelessness as ineffective and degrading.
“Criminalizing homelessness does not solve the problem, wastes money, and strips homeless residents of Washington, D.C., of their rights and dignity,” the coalition stated, providing guidance on how to interact with law enforcement during these operations.
