Trump repeatedly vowed to ‘take over’ DC during 2024 campaign, WH says POTUS is ‘keeping his promise’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump isn’t just talking tough on crime, he’s putting boots on the ground. Hundreds of National Guard troops and federal agents rolled into Washington this week after Trump pulled the trigger on federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department.

The move, which the administration framed as a bid to “beautify” and secure the capital, instantly sparked controversy. However, Trump’s team was quick to point out that it was hardly a surprise.

"Americans overwhelmingly elected President Trump because of his commonsense policies that are hugely popular with the American public–including restoring law and order," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News. "Making DC Safe Again and stopping violent crime is something President Trump pledged to do, and now he’s keeping his promise."

Jackson added, "Democrat politicians who oppose this move are suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome, and it is just one of the many reasons why their approval rating is hitting record lows. Meanwhile, Americans from all backgrounds and communities can applaud efforts to stop violent crime."

Mike Gill's tragic death spurred Trump to take action

Trump’s tough-on-crime stance has roots in a string of brutal incidents that rattled DC. In January 2024, Mike Gill, a Republican who had served in both Barack Obama and Trump administrations, was shot in the head during a carjacking just north of the National Mall. He had been waiting in his car to pick up his wife from work when the gunman opened fire. Gill died three days later.

Trump was outraged. "Wonderful and brilliant Mike Gill, a highly respected member of the Trump Administration, was ruthlessly and viciously shot in the head during a carjacking in Washington DC," he posted on Truth Social. "His family and friends are devastated. The Federal Government must take over DC."

The attack also prompted a wider response. Former GOP House Speaker Newt Gingrich demanded that Congress take back authority over the city. "Mike Gill’s death from attack by a carjacker on 14th street in downtown Washington while picking his wife up from work is one more example of why Congress needs to take back control," Gingrich posted on X.

Gill’s death, along with the violent assault of a former DOGE employee nicknamed "Big Balls," gave Trump ammunition to push his law-and-order message from the campaign trail straight into the Oval Office. "We’re going to federalize it. We’re going to have the toughest law enforcement in the country," he told rallygoers in Las Vegas.

Trump takes a stand to combat violent crime

As commander-in-chief for the second time, he’s sticking to his word.

Trump currently has 30 days of emergency control over the capital under existing law, but he made it clear he is prepared to strong-arm Congress for more time if necessary.

"You can't have 30 days," he recently said at a Kennedy Center news conference. "We're going to do this very quickly, but we're going to want extensions. I don't want to call a national emergency, but if I have to, I will."

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser insists violent crime is at a 30-year low, but the numbers tell a different story.

Since the pandemic, robberies and homicides have surged. City records show gun violence up 460% downtown, and murders rising as much as 500% in neighborhoods like Southwest/Waterfront and H Street.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.