DC Locals Have Mixed Reactions to Trump’s Police Takeover

One resident said that “it’s time for a change,” while another was more skeptical, saying, “It’s to show that he’s in control.”

U.S. Capitol Police officers patrol the East Front plaza of the U.S. Capitol building on March 7, 2024. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

WASHINGTON—Residents of the nation’s capital showed various reactions to President Donald Trump’s plan to federalize the local police force.

Early on Aug. 11, Trump announced that he would take control of the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department in an effort to reduce crime and homelessness in the city.

He also revealed that he would send 800 National Guard troops into the city to bolster law enforcement. The president has repeatedly called for a federal takeover of the entire city, citing high crime and homelessness.

The Epoch Times took to the street on Aug. 11 to gauge the local reaction to Trump’s announcement. The responses were far from one-sided, and many who opposed the move itself agreed that the crime rate in D.C. is a real problem.

Greg, 45, an HVAC employee who wanted to give only his first name, said he thought sending in the National Guard was a mistake because the situation is not dire enough yet. He said he was also unsure if it would be helpful.

Meanwhile, two young black men who declined to be identified welcomed the plan and said they hoped it would address black-on-black crime.

“White folks ain’t killing each other. Spanish people ain’t killing each other. It’s us killing each other,” one of the men said.

“It’s time for a change,” the other agreed.

Michele, 72, a former art professor, was protesting the announcement in front of the White House. She said she thought the takeover was for public relations reasons.

“It’s a show of force,” she told reporters.

“It’s to show that he’s in control, et cetera, et cetera, and to back his shrinking support system.”

Her husband, Mike, a retired banker, acknowledged that the city has quite a bit of crime. As a former New Yorker, he said that it comes along with living in any large city and doesn’t justify sending in the National Guard.

A family of three—who asked to be called the Walshes—said they live in West Palm Beach, Florida, but come to the capital often to visit family.

Mrs. Walsh said she’s “100 percent behind” the president’s new initiative.

“We love coming here,” Mr. Walsh said. “We have a son here, so we obviously want it safe for him.”

He said that during their most recent visit, they were warned not to walk to a restaurant at the Wharf in Southwest D.C. because they would have to pass through some “sketchy” areas. The concierge told them to grab a taxi instead.

Mayor Bowser Responds

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters that she and the city would comply in accordance with the “plain language” of the law.

“Limited Home Rule gives the federal government the ability to intrude on our autonomy in many ways,” she told reporters, referring to the 1973 law that allows Congress and the president a certain degree of control over the city.

“Our families go to war, we pay taxes, and we uphold the responsibilities of citizenship, and while this action today is unsettling and unprecedented, I can’t say—given some of the rhetoric of the past—that we’re totally surprised.”

The mayor acknowledged that Trump has a legal right to federalize the police department for 30 days and to send in the National Guard, but she publicly renewed her push for the District of Columbia to be granted full autonomy through statehood.

Bowser had previously rejected Trump’s suggestion for a total federal takeover of the city.

Addressing Trump’s allegations that the city is too soft on crime, Bowser said she wants accountability for gun violence regardless of the age of the perpetrator.

She also noted that the city has no control over the election or appointment of its prosecutors and judges, which are handled by the president and Congress.