Trump thanks DC law enforcement officers with burgers and pizzas after announcing plans to patrol city

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump visited federal law enforcement officers in the nation’s capital on Thursday, August 21, praising their work and touting his administration’s anti-crime initiative that has sent thousands of National Guard troops and agents to DC.

Trump spoke at a US Park Police facility in Southeast Washington, where he thanked officers, served them hamburgers and pizza, and promised the city would see visible improvements within the next year.

His visit follows heightened federal involvement in local policing, a move that has drawn resistance from DC officials.

Trump pledges to ‘max out’ capital’s beauty

Addressing the crowd, Donald Trump told officers, “You’re incredible people. You make the country run, frankly.” He outlined plans to remove graffiti, restore park grounds, and repair medians, saying Washington would be “maxxed out in terms of beauty” in six to 12 months.

While handing out burgers and pizzas, Trump jokingly said, "We have great hamburgers cooked by the White House and we have pizza... I'll eat with you and we're going to have a little fun... then we're going to get back to work and we're going to take care of these criminals."

Hours earlier, the president announced he would personally join police and military patrols in Washington, DC, on Thursday night. “I’m going to be going out tonight, I’m going to keep it a secret… We’re going to do a job. The National Guard is great. They’ve done a fantastic job,” he said. 

Attorney General Pam Bondi, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and other officials joined Trump in thanking federal personnel.

Internet praises Trump as he pays visit to federal law enforcement officers

Social media users lauded Donald Trump for thanking law enforcement and boosting safety efforts in Washington.

One user said, "President Trump always takes the time to thank the people doing the work. Every successful businessman does this. Trump is sincere when he does it."

Another wrote, "There is a true president who is willing to walk with the soldiers to protect the citizens of the United States."

"His leadership will be taught in the schools in the future," one person tweeted.

"Possibly the Greatest President Ever. Certainly the best in our lifetime," another user posted.

One person noted, "I really like this man more and more every day."

"He IS Awesome! A man of The People- Ty @POTUS for Making America Safe Again!" another wrote.

"I love that! I bet he was actually a pretty cool guy to work with," one user shared.

Thousands of National Guard members and federal officers deployed

Roughly 2,000 National Guard personnel from DC and GOP-led states, alongside agents from the FBI and DEA, have been stationed throughout the city.

The Justice Department recently retreated from an effort to name an emergency local police chief after a lawsuit from DC leaders challenged federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department.

Vice President JD Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller visited Guard members at Union Station a day before Trump’s appearance. Bondi said the initiative has led to 630 arrests and 86 illegal gun seizures to date.

While Trump claims friends now feel safer dining out in Washington, local officials say the initiative is unnecessary. They point to police data showing violent crime down 26% this year and robberies down 28%, continuing a steady decline since 2023. 

Last year marked the lowest violent crime level in more than three decades, according to the Justice Department.

Trump dismissed those figures as “phony numbers,” saying his administration would “look into that.”

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.