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President Donald Trump’s administration unveiled a new campaign on Thursday to recruit federal law enforcement officers to patrol the streets of the nation’s capital, expanding its domestic policing efforts in response to rising crime.
A newly launched government website promotes openings within federal agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The listings indicate that new hires would be stationed in Washington, D.C., for up to a year.
“For all Great Law Enforcement Patriots who would like to join the World’s Premier Law Enforcement Task Force, where Police Officers are fully allowed and empowered to do their job and battle crime, apply today to join the Make D.C. Safe Task Force!” President Trump posted to his Truth Social account on Thursday.
“You will be at the cutting edge of defending our Nation’s Capital City from all dangers and threats, and will be able to join the elite Agency of your choice. If you have strong experience, you can begin on the Task Force, IMMEDIATELY!” he added.
The initiative marks the latest in a series of moves by the Trump administration to increase federal involvement in local law enforcement, particularly in cities led by Democrats.
Since June, President Trump has ordered National Guard deployments to Los Angeles, Memphis and Washington, D.C. as part of what the White House describes as an “emergency public safety effort.” The president has repeatedly cited violent crime as justification for the actions.
President Trump has also sought to expand the deployments further, fighting ongoing legal battles to send troops to Portland and Chicago, where local leaders have opposed the move.
Administration officials have said the recruitment drive aims to supplement existing law enforcement resources in the capital and “restore order and security” amid what Trump has described as “dangerous spikes in violence.”
The actions are part of the president’s efforts to make Washington “the greatest capital city in the world.” According to a March White House fact sheet, President Trump signed an executive order creating a task force to, “Surge law enforcement officers in public areas and strictly enforce quality-of-life laws in public areas like drug use, unpermitted demonstrations, vandalism, and public intoxication.”