By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Trump’s 30-day takeover of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department is set to expire Wednesday night, closing one major chapter of the crime crackdown in the nation’s capital.
However, lawmakers are weighing changes to the city’s justice system, and the debate could shape how crime is tackled in other U.S. cities.
The federal takeover began in August, after President Trump declared a public safety emergency under Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act.
The crackdown has resulted in more than 2,100 arrests, including 20 alleged gang members.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) recently signed an executive order directing the district to continue working with federal law enforcement “to the maximum extent allowable by law.” Bowser said the primary goal of the order was to end the federal takeover.
“The framework that I laid out in the mayor’s order is a pathway out,” Bowser said. “This is how we will be able to request or receive additional resources management to the most strategic benefit for D.C. residents and public safety.”
The commitment to work with federal partners appears to be appeasing Republicans on Capitol Hill and the president, who have shied away from earlier calls to extend the federal takeover — at least for now.
“We have not received a request or a necessity for Congress to act. So we’re grateful for the results. I mean, the crime rates are down dramatically,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.).
However, the House Oversight Committee is reviewing a slate of D.C.-specific tough-on-crime measures — from rolling back progressive sentencing reforms to lowering the age juveniles can be tried as adults.
“It’s kind of those leftist Democrat policies that brought us to this moment and have brought many of America’s major cities to the moment of crime overriding our streets,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy (R-NY.). “Cashless bail isn’t working. Recidivism is high and our cops have no tools left in their arsenal. Even on a lower scale, even in our communities in the southern tier, as I meet with village police departments, city police departments, sheriff’s offices, their officers’ hands are tied far too often.”
Democrats criticize the president’s takeover approach and the methods being utilized, such as National Guard troops and masked immigration enforcement agents.
“Donald Trump is not going to get away with lecturing anybody about issues of law and order. His administration is the very definition of lawlessness and disorder,” said House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY.).
Jeffries added that any federal intervention should come at the request of local officials.
“If those local police departments conclude that they want some support from the federal government, then I support that effort by those local police departments to partner with the federal government,” Jeffries said.
Although the D.C. police takeover ends Wednesday, there is a possibility Congress can intervene at a later date to extend it. Regardless, National Guard troops remain in the capital under until at least Nov. 30.
This week, leaders in Congress showed support for the president’s broader push for federal intervention in predominantly Democratic cities. It comes as cities like Chicago brace for large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations and potential National Guard deployment.
“These mayors in these big blue cities have to ask this question, and I think their voters and the residents and the law-abiding citizens in all these cities should be asking local leadership: how long are you going to put up with this? When are you going to put your foot down and do the right thing?” Speaker Johnson said. “Let the troops come into your city and show how crime can be reduced. It’s a morale boost for the country and it’s safe, and right for everybody involved.”
