Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Attorney General Bondi appointed DEA administrator as emergency police commissioner — Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an order formalizing the appointment of the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Terry Cole, as "emergency police commissioner" of the DC Metropolitan Police Department, stripping decision-making powers away from Chief Smith and requiring approval from Cole before issuing any new directives for the force. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser responded that "There is no statute that conveys the District's personnel authority to a federal official."
• US Attorney General Bondi issues order to impose federal control over DC Metropolitan Police Department — US Attorney General Pam Bondi issued an order late Thursday placing Terry Cole, the DEA's top administrator, as "emergency police commissioner" over Washington DC's Metropolitan Police Department, superseding Chief Pamela Smith. The order required all MPD personnel to receive Cole's approval before issuing orders and aimed to override the city's sanctuary policies on immigration enforcement. DC Attorney General Brian Schwalb immediately filed a lawsuit challenging the order as exceeding federal authority under the Home Rule Act.

Supporting reports

• Trump seeks long-term federal control of DC police department and signals targeting other Democratic cities — President Trump announced he will request Congress grant him extended control over Washington DC's police department beyond the initial 30-day emergency period he invoked, and signaled he will push for similar federal interventions in other Democratic-led cities. Trump deployed national guard troops and federal agents to DC following an attack on a staffer, resulting in 43 arrests on the first night. He stated he would propose legislation to extend control "very quickly" and alluded to invoking national emergency powers to bypass Congress if necessary. Trump also criticized DC's bail reform laws and statehood aspirations.
• Trump signals intent to impose federal crime law changes on Democratic-led cities — Trump announced plans to impose federal crime law changes initially in DC—specifically targeting cash-bail reforms—and signaled he expects other Democratic-led cities including New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles to adopt similar changes. He framed this as part of a national crime-fighting agenda and criticized DC's statehood aspirations as a Democratic power grab. Trump's comments suggest a pattern of using federal power to override local governance in cities led by political opponents.

Supporting reports

• Trump Mobilizes National Guard Amid Claims of Crime Crisis — President Trump mobilized the National Guard in Washington, D.C., claiming it was necessary to address a crime crisis, despite evidence showing that violent crime rates are at a historic low. This action is seen as a pretext for consolidating federal control over local law enforcement.
• Trump deploys national guard and federal agents to Washington DC — Trump deployed more than 1,450 officers including national guard troops and federal agents from the FBI, DEA, and Department of Homeland Security into Washington DC neighborhoods. The deployment followed an attack on a staffer in an entertainment district. The White House credited the operation with 43 arrests on the first night, though local data showed this was only marginally higher than typical arrest rates. The administration characterized DC as having an "out of control" crime problem, contradicting local officials and recent data showing crime at 30-year lows.
• Trump deploys National Guard to Washington DC and takes control of police force — President Trump ordered the federalization of law enforcement in Washington DC, deploying approximately 800 National Guard troops to city streets on Tuesday night and taking command of the DC police department. Trump justified the move by calling Washington DC "lawless" despite official crime statistics showing the violent crime rate at a 30-year low. A "massive law enforcement surge" of 850 officers and agents made 23 arrests on Monday night. Mayor Muriel Bowser initially pledged cooperation but later denounced the move as an "authoritarian push" undermining DC's home rule and autonomy.
• National Guard troops deployed to Washington, D.C. — Approximately 800 National Guard troops arrived at the D.C. Armory on the morning of August 12, 2025, to report for duty under Trump's order to address crime in the District. The troops have been deployed until September 25, 2025. The deployment represents Trump's assumption of control over the Washington, D.C., police force and National Guard.
• Trump deploys 800 National Guard troops to DC streets — As part of the same executive order, Trump announced deployment of 800 National Guard troops to patrol streets in Washington, DC. The deployment was framed as necessary to address violent crime, despite official statistics showing crime declining significantly. This marks a militarization of civilian law enforcement in the nation's capital.
• National Guard Deployed in Washington DC — The National Guard began deploying on the streets of Washington DC following President Trump's order to federalize law enforcement in the city. This move, described by many as an authoritarian power grab, was justified by Trump as a response to what he called a "lawless" city, despite crime statistics indicating otherwise. The deployment includes approximately 800 guard members, with a surge of 850 officers and agents leading to nearly two dozen arrests. The action has been widely condemned for undermining the autonomy of Washington DC's local government.

Supporting reports

• Trump declares crime emergency in District of Columbia, delegates Metropolitan Police operational control to Attorney General — President Trump signed Executive Order 14333 on August 11, 2025, declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., citing elevated violent crime rates. The order invokes section 740 of the Home Rule Act to place the Metropolitan Police Department under federal operational control, delegating authority to the Attorney General to direct the Mayor and determine necessary police services. The order cites 2024 crime statistics (27.54 homicides per 100,000 residents, 842.4 vehicle thefts per 100,000) and frames the emergency as necessary to protect federal workers, buildings, and government operations.
• Trump declared crime emergency in Washington, D.C., to take control of police — On August 11, 2025, President Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., under the 1973 Home Rule Act to assume control of the city's police department. The Department of Justice had reported that crime in the District was at a 30-year low. The Home Rule Act permits such a takeover only if "special conditions of an emergency nature exist" and limits the takeover to 30 days unless Congress passes a joint resolution to extend it.
• Trump declares crime emergency in District of Columbia, delegates police control to Attorney General — President Trump issued an executive order on August 11, 2025, declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., and invoking section 740 of the Home Rule Act to place the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control. The order delegates operational authority to the Attorney General, who may direct the Mayor to provide police services for federal purposes. Trump cited elevated violent crime rates (27.54 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2024, vehicle theft at 842.4 per 100,000) as justifying the emergency declaration and federal takeover of local law enforcement.
• President Trump signed Executive Order 14333 declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia and delegating operational control of the Metropolitan Police Department to the Attorney General. — On August 11, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14333, invoking section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to declare special conditions of emergency requiring the use of the Metropolitan Police Department for federal purposes. The order directs the Mayor to provide Metropolitan Police services for the maximum period permitted under law and delegates presidential authority to direct the Mayor to the Attorney General. The order cites 2024 crime statistics (27.54 homicides per 100,000 residents, 842.4 vehicle thefts per 100,000 residents) and asserts that D.C. has higher violent crime rates than all 50 states. The Attorney General is tasked with monitoring conditions and updating the President on whether further action is needed.
• President Trump signs executive order declaring crime emergency in District of Columbia — President Trump signed an executive order on August 11, 2025, declaring a crime emergency in Washington, D.C. The order invokes the President's authority under the District of Columbia Self-Government and Governmental Reorganization Act to require the Mayor to make Metropolitan Police Department services available to the President. The Attorney General is delegated authority to monitor the emergency and recommend further actions or termination. The fact sheet cites D.C. crime statistics (27 homicides per 100,000 residents in 2024; vehicle theft at 842.4 per 100,000) and frames the order as necessary to restore federal operations and public safety.
• White House issues release on "Liberation Day" declaring public safety emergency in Washington, D.C. — The White House issued a release on August 11, 2025, announcing that President Trump declared a public safety emergency in Washington, D.C., and placed Attorney General Pam Bondi in command of the Metropolitan Police Department. The release states the action targets "known gangs, drug dealers and criminal networks" and attributes the city's crime crisis to "abject failures of the city's local leadership." The document includes testimonials from D.C. residents supporting the measure.
• Trump Assumes Control Over D.C. Metropolitan Police Department — President Donald J. Trump announced at a press conference that he is taking control of the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police Department and deploying over 100 FBI agents, 40 agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with other federal officers and National Guard members to address crime in the capital. He stated that officers would clear homeless encampments from the city. This move comes despite statistics showing a significant decrease in violent crime in D.C.
• Trump signs executive order seizing DC police department control — President Trump signed an executive order on August 12, 2025, placing the DC Metropolitan Police Department under federal control, with Attorney General Pam Bondi assuming command. Trump also announced deployment of 800 National Guard troops to DC streets. The order was justified by claims of rising violent crime, but official DOJ data shows violent crime in DC declined 35% in 2024 (the lowest in over 30 years) and an additional 25% year-to-date in 2025. Crime expert Jeff Asher confirmed violent crime is declining regardless of categorization method.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatened to deploy National Guard to Chicago — Trump stated his administration would "end" the cashless bail system in Chicago (lacking authority to do so) and said he would consider deploying the National Guard to the city, calling it "a disaster" and Democratic Governor JB Pritzker "incompetent." He asked Republican lawmakers to "change the statute" to eliminate bail reforms.