Federal Agents, Troops to Start 24/7 Patrol in Washington: White House

The effort will include deploying more than 400 National Guard troops around the capital from Wednesday night.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers, the investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and U.S. Park Police officers inspect a vendor's truck after detaining a person on the National Mall in Washington, on Aug. 13, 2025. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

President Donald Trump will direct federal agents to patrol Washington around the clock, seven days a week, the White House announced on Aug. 13, amid efforts to reduce crime in the nation’s capital.

Trump told reporters earlier on Wednesday that federal control of the Washington Metropolitan Police Department should extend past 30 days.