President Trump’s Federal Takeover of D.C. Police Sparks Controversy

On August 11, 2025, President Donald Trump invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to assume federal control over Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and deployed 800 National Guard troops to the city. Citing a "public safety emergency" due to "complete and total lawlessness," President Trump justified the intervention despite official statistics indicating that violent crime in D.C. had declined significantly in recent years.

The District of Columbia Home Rule Act, enacted in 1973, granted Washington, D.C., a degree of self-governance, allowing residents to elect a mayor and city council. However, Congress retained legislative and budgetary oversight. Section 740 of the Act permits the President to federalize the city's police force during emergencies for up to 30 days, with any extension requiring Congressional approval.

Contrary to the President's claims of escalating crime, official data indicates a significant decline in violent crime in the capital. Homicides dropped 32% from 2023 to 2024 and a further 12% in 2025. Overall, violent crime decreased by 26% compared to the same period in 2024.

Local officials have strongly criticized the federal intervention. Mayor Muriel Bowser described the move as an "unprecedented" and "unlawful" intrusion into local governance. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb labeled the action "unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful," emphasizing that no legal conditions existed to justify federal control.

The D.C. Council issued a statement condemning the takeover, stating, "This is a manufactured intrusion on local authority." They also highlighted that the National Guard lacks public safety training and knowledge of local laws, making their deployment unnecessary.

In contrast, the D.C. police union supported the intervention but emphasized that it should be temporary. They acknowledged that crime is "spiraling out of control" and called for immediate action to restore public safety.

This federal intervention has sparked significant debate over local governance, federal authority, and civil liberties. Legal experts and D.C. officials are considering challenges to the legality of the President's actions, indicating potential court battles ahead.

The intervention has also renewed discussions about D.C. statehood. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton called the action "an egregious assault on D.C. home rule" and announced plans to reintroduce legislation granting the district full control over its police and National Guard.

This marks the first time a President has invoked Section 740 of the Home Rule Act to assume control over the MPD. The unprecedented nature of this action raises questions about the balance of power between federal and local authorities and sets a significant precedent for future federal interventions in local governance.

The situation continues to evolve as legal challenges are considered and the debate over the balance of federal and local authority in Washington, D.C., intensifies.