Federal hold of the capital: Police crackdowns in D.C. advance

Darwin Kamau and Faith Allen

August 25, 2025

August 5, an attack on a Department of Government Efficiency member, Edward Coristine, urged an executive response to crime rates in D.C.. Trump declared a crime emergency, allowing him to take federal control of the local police department. In search of further assistance, Trump requested a battalion of National Guard troops to help maintain order. Trump ordered increased policing in an effort to decrease crime and homelessness, although violent crime statistics in the city currently sit at a 30-year low.

August 16, three red-leaning states supplied President Donald Trump’s request for National Guard troops to mobilize and assist the Washington District of Columbia (D.C.) Police Department in ramping up policing, following his federal takeover of the department. West Virginia, South Carolina and Ohio pledged to send nearly 750 troops to the Capitol. The following day, 500 additional troops stationed in Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi began their transit.

“I believe [Trump] is trying to distract us from something worse that is going to happen. The takeover looks horrifyingly dystopian. I was not aware this was happening,” magnet sophomore Macey Collins said.

The federal takeover stems from August 5, when Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) member Edward Coristine suffered an attack from a group of teens in Dupont Circle, Washington D.C. Once informed of the incident, Trump condemned the felony on social media, sharing an image of the beaten Coristine and alleging that crime in D.C reached an out of control level. Following his social media post, Trump expressed his frustrations with D.C. police, along with the local government, over control of the city.

Trump seized the issue of Coristine’s attack as a means to justify his federal takeover. Trump’s social media posts exacerbated the outcry from Coristine’s attack, sparking additional criticisms over the alleged rise in youth crime statistics. August 11, Trump declared a crime emergency, pledging to clear out the capital of any violent criminals hastily. While the murder rate in D.C. peaked in 2023, the city’s violent crime rates show patterns of yearly decrease, with a notable 27% drop from 2024.

“As a politics teacher, the federal takeover is something that I think about quite a lot. What Mr. Trump is doing definitely is an expansion of executive power in a rather radical way. Now, is it fully unprecedented? No, however, it’s the justification for the expansion of this executive power unprecedented, I think so,” AP Comparative Government teacher Carolyn Galloway said.

The effects of the crackdown resonate throughout the capital, as over 550 arrests occurred in the initial week of the takeover. Numerous checkpoints run throughout notable civilian streets in D.C. at which Homeland Security Investigation (HSI) agents stop and question drivers commuting in the area. The HSI works under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) along with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Several protests cover the city, with citizens flocking to the streets in disapproval of the actions.

For the local government, D.C. Chief of Police Pamela Smith lost command over the city police due to the constitutional powers of the D.C Home Rule Act. Trump initially intended to place Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) chief Terry Cole as the emergency Chief of Police following his declaration. However, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser discussed with Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to ensure Smith remained in power.

In media interviews, the Mayor expressed her concerns over the strict takeover, along with federal overreach. In spite of her apprehension, Bowser conceded to the argument that raised arrest rates serve as a means to an end. The Trump Administration considers extending its hold on the D.C. Police Department if positive results persist. The unfolding of this takeover highlights key debates in the jurisdiction of the federal government over local affairs.

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About the Contributors

Darwin Kamau, Reporter

Darwin Kamau finished his junior year and first two semesters on The Chant with a new appreciation for both staying and keeping others updated on current events. Looking into the future, Darwin sees a mountain of work and the ambition to accomplish it. Darwin plans to add more content to The Chant’s Student Life page, looking to capture moments that highlight the unity found within the NC population. Darwin hopes to exceed the standards set by his previous work and to collaborate with his classmates to produce only the best on The Chant. Outside of the newspaper, Darwin spends his spare time traveling to new places, spending time with his family, and listening to music. Find him on Instagram @darwln.dk

Faith Allen, Reporter

Faith Allen first gained her strong interest in writing at the age of six. Consumed in her notebook, she let creativity control her hands, creating stories of anything that came to her mind. Later, at 10 years old, she grew entranced by the world of politics, spending most of her time during the pandemic watching CNN and MSNBC. Now a magnet sophomore at NC, she has kicked off her first year at The Chant, putting her talents to good use. Allen is currently involved in NC’s Beta club, Tribal Connections, Model UN, swim team and theater. Outside of school, she participates in Girl Scouts at her local church. During her free time, Allen enjoys playing Instruments, reading, making music with her friends, watching TV, supporting her community and sewing. Find Faith on Instagram @faith.journalism.