Photo: Alamy
President Donald Trump said early Monday he is prepared to declare a national emergency and federalize Washington, D.C., after Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the city’s police would no longer cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“The Federal Government, under my auspices as President of the United States of America, has stepped into the complete criminal mess that was Washington, D.C., our Nation’s Capital,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Because of this, D.C. has gone from one of the most dangerous and murder ridden cities in the U.S.A., and even around the World, to one of the safest – In just a few weeks.
“The ‘place’ is absolutely booming, with restaurants, stores, and businesses packed and, for the first time in decades, virtually NO CRIME. It has been a beautiful thing to watch but, now, under pressure from the Radical Left Democrats, Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has presided over this violent criminal takeover of our Capital for years, has informed the Federal Government that the Metropolitan Police Department will no longer cooperate with ICE in removing and relocating dangerous illegal aliens.
“If I allowed this to happen, CRIME would come roaring back. To the people and businesses of Washington, D.C., DON’T WORRY, I AM WITH YOU, AND WON’T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN.
“I’ll call a National Emergency, and Federalize, if necessary!!! Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!!! President DJT.”
The D.C. National Guard is unique in that it reports directly to the president, unlike state National Guard units, which operate under the authority of governors unless federally activated.
Although Trump’s previous federal order has ended, the number of National Guard members in Washington has stayed the same. Joint Task Force DC reported that more than 2,300 troops remain deployed across the city. About 900 are from the DC National Guard, and the rest come from units in eight other states.
Bowser is expected to speak on Thursday before the House Oversight Committee concerning the situation in Washington.