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President Donald Trump has ordered an increased federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C, per Newsweek.
The increased patrol of D.C. started on Friday (August 8) morning and will last for at least seven days, with the possibility of extension. The move comes after Edward Coristine, a former government worker, was assaulted during an attempted carjacking in Logan Circle. Two 15-year-old teenagers were arrested in connection with the incident.
“Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control… If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“They are not afraid of Law Enforcement… but it’s going to happen now,” he added.
The U.S. Park Police, FBI, DHS, ATF, U.S. Marshals Service, and members of the “D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force”, which was created in March under an executive order, will all join efforts to heighten federal law enforcement.
“There will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C. President Trump is committed to making our Nation’s capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.
Trump has previously suggested federalizing control of Washington, but the move would require Congress to repeal the Home Rule Act of 1973, which would likely face legal and political challenges.
Despite Trump’s claims, D.C. police data shows violent crime is down 26 percent this year, including decreases in homicides, robberies, and carjackings.
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