Trump Deploys Federal Law Enforcement Surge in D.C. to Combat Violent Crime

by Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump has ordered a significant increase in federal law enforcement presence across Washington, D.C., in an effort to combat what he described as an “out-of-control” crime wave in the nation’s capital. The White House announced the move on Aug. 7, saying the deployment will begin at midnight and continue for at least seven days, with an option to extend.

“President Trump has directed an increased presence of federal law enforcement to protect innocent citizens,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement to The Epoch Times. She added that the move ensures “no safe harbor for violent criminals” in a city she said has been “plagued by violent crime for far too long.”

The operation will be led by the U.S. Park Police and involve multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Capitol Police, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Protective Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Enforcement and Removal Operations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. Officials have not disclosed the number of officers to be deployed, but they will be highly visible in marked units, targeting high-traffic tourist areas and known crime hotspots.

The surge comes amid heightened tensions over crime in the District following the recent assault of Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency staffer, allegedly by underage gang members. Two 15-year-olds have been arrested in connection with the attack, and police are seeking additional suspects.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said the city risks federal takeover if local leaders fail to act. “If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that they’re not going to get away with it anymore,” he wrote.

The president also called for tougher prosecution of juvenile offenders, saying those as young as 14 should be tried as adults for violent crimes. “Local ‘youths’ and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent citizens… They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but it’s going to happen now,” he declared.

Vice President J.D. Vance voiced support for the initiative, blaming “misguided local leadership” for the city’s crime problems.

Trump has previously signaled a willingness to place D.C. under federal control, which would require Congress to overturn the 1973 Home Rule Act that granted the city self-governance. In March, he signed an executive order creating the “D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force” to bolster law enforcement, enforce quality-of-life laws, crack down on illegal immigration, and address public disorder issues such as drug use and vandalism.

While Metropolitan Police Department data shows violent crime is down in 2025 compared to 2024, Trump insists that the situation remains unacceptable. He has promised that Washington “will soon be one of the safest” cities in the world.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office declined to comment on the federal operation.

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