More federal law enforcement officers will be patrolling D.C. streets over the next coming days to combat crime and, in the words of President Donald Trump’s administration, make the city safe again.
District residents can expect to see the increased presence starting Friday at midnight, according to a statement from White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.
“Washington, D.C. is an amazing city, but it has been plagued by violent crime for far too long,” Leavitt said. “President Trump has directed an increased presence of federal law enforcement to protect innocent citizens. There will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C.”
The boost in police patrols will take place for a week, with an option to extend as needed, Leavitt stated. The Making D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force’s Law Enforcement Working Group will make up those patrols, Leavitt said. The group includes 15 departments from various agencies including Metro police, U.S. Capitol Police, FBI and the Drug Enforcement Agency. It’s not clear where patrols will occur in the city.
n response to Trump’s moves, D.C. Congressional Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton is planning to reintroduce two bills with Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen in the coming days, one to repeal the president’s authority to federalize the MPD and one to give the D.C. mayor control over the D.C. National Guard.
“Sending in the FBI, DEA, Homeland Security officers and others throughout the District in response to an assault where the existing police presence was sufficient to catch two assailants as they were leaving the scene is a disproportionate overreaction that’s offensive to D.C.,” Norton said.
“Moreover, this needless escalation will heighten tensions and potentially make D.C., which achieved its lowest violent crime rate in 30 years in 2024, less safe,” she said.
Secret Service vehicles on the move in D.C.
Reporting live from the District just after 5 a.m., WTOP’s Kyle Cooper said he spotted at least six marked Secret Service vehicles “cruising back and forth” along Lafayette Park and the World War Two Memorial on Constitution Avenue.
“In front of the White House, at least on one of those side entrances — it’s unclear whether it’s different from normal — but there are a couple of officers. Some on bikes, some standing,” he said. “That may be normal, but they are out there visible to the public this morning.”
Cooper detailed that the upped police presence would have a focus on popular tourist areas, such as museums and memorials. Near Union Station, he described seeing federal cruisers parked with their lights on, as some personnel were on foot on the backside of the building.
You can read the full article at WTOP News.