Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump proclaimed Washington, D.C. a “crime-free zone” after initiating a sweeping federal law enforcement intervention in the capital.
Posting on Truth Social Sunday, Trump declared: “DC IS NOW A CRIME FREE ZONE, IN JUST 12 DAYS!!! President DJT.” He accompanied the announcement with an update on arrests and the seizure of firearms.
The federal operation follows Trump’s invocation of emergency powers in August, placing the Metropolitan Police Department under federal control, deploying National Guard troops and augmenting them with agents from multiple federal agencies. The administration credits the move with reducing violent crime, though local officials had already reported declines earlier in the year.
In total, about 2,000 National Guard troops have been deployed, armed as part of the operation. The strategy, backed by Republican governors, involves collaboration across federal and local law enforcement.
Reaction among D.C. leaders and residents has been divided. Mayor Muriel Bowser acknowledged an initial drop in violent crime but cautioned that the federal presence has also created resentment and fear, particularly in immigrant neighborhoods. Some residents voiced strong opposition, arguing that the move threatens civil liberties.
The White House has promoted the crackdown as a model of effective public safety policy, while critics warn it represents federal overreach into local governance. Legal and ethical questions remain over the long-term implications of federalizing law enforcement in the nation’s capital.
The “crime-free zone” declaration marks the latest step in Trump’s effort to reshape urban crime policy and may foreshadow similar interventions in other cities.
Trump also blasted Bowser in a post on Monday over her lack of appreciation for the crime-fighting efforts.
“Wow! Mayor Muriel Bowser of D.C. has become very popular because she worked with me and my great people in bringing CRIME down to virtually NOTHING in D.C. Her statements and actions were positive, instead of others like Pritzker, Wes Moore, Newscum, and the 5% approval rated Mayor of Chicago, who spend all of their time trying to justify violent Crime, instead of working with us to completely ELIMINATE it, which we have done in Washington, D.C., NOW A CRIME FREE ZONE. Wouldn’t it be nice to say that about Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and even the Crime Drenched City of Baltimore??? It can happen, and it can happen FAST! Work with us!!! Mayor Bowser’s ratings have gone up, in a short period of time, 25%, and the people of D.C. are thanking her for stopping crime wherever she goes. It’s not a miracle, it’s hard work, courage, and being SMART,” he wrote.
“The top Law Enforcement Officer in L.A. said, during the riots, and when I sent the troops in early, that they couldn’t have done it without us. They were completely overwhelmed! If we hadn’t gone in early, on top of the Palisades plus fires, L.A. would have lost the Olympics. Congratulations to Mayor Muriel Bowser, but don’t go Woke on us. D.C. is a GIANT VICTORY that never has to end!!!” the president concluded.