On Thursday, the White House announced that Federal law enforcement officers will patrol the streets of Washington, D.C., for the next week.
The escalated federal presence will begin at midnight. It will be led by the U.S. Park Police and will include officers and agents from the FBI; Drug Enforcement Administration; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; divisions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement; and other agencies.
The White House noted the federal law enforcement will be in marked units.
The announcement comes a day after President Trump said he was considering taking control of the Washington, D.C., police department in the wake of a violent attack on a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer.
“Washington, DC is an amazing city, but it has been plagued by violent crime for far too long. President Trump has directed an increased presence of federal law enforcement to protect innocent citizens. Starting tonight, there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C.,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. “President Trump is committed to making our Nation’s capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors from all around the world.”
Thursday’s order came after a March executive order establishing the Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force “to ensure effective federal participation” in the enforcement of immigration laws and redirecting resources to apprehend and deport migrants in Washington, as well as monitoring its “sanctuary city” status to comply with federal immigration laws.
