Trump takes over police, deploys National Guard in DC: What to know

This story appeared in The Logoff, a day by day e-newsletter that helps you keep knowledgeable in regards to the Trump administration with out letting political information take over your life. Subscribe right here.Welcome to The Logoff: President Donald Trump introduced at present that he’ll federalize police in Washington, DC, and deploy DC Nationwide Guard troops onto metropolis streets.Trump’s declaration brings DC’s Metropolitan Police Division beneath momentary federal management, ostensibly beneath the oversight of Legal professional Common Pam Bondi. At the very least 800 Nationwide Guard members can even be deployed, and Trump additional threatened to increase deployments to different main cities, together with Baltimore, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Oakland.What does this imply for DC? It’s too quickly to say what the complete extent of what Trump’s takeover will appear to be, however on the very least, it’s going to imply extra uniformed legislation enforcement — together with federal officers — on patrol in DC. Trump has additionally known as for unhoused DC residents to be evicted from the town and stated that police can be “allowed to do regardless of the hell they need,” elevating the prospect of an more and more unaccountable police presence in DC.Can he truly try this? Sure, seemingly, although with some caveats. Trump’s takeover of DC police can final now not than 30 days, whereas his management of the DC Nationwide Guard is extra open-ended. What he can’t do — however has threatened — is a unilateral takeover of DC at giant, which might require an act of Congress.Is crime in DC truly that dangerous? As different protection has identified (and your cheerful Washington, DC-based correspondent can affirm), Trump’s depiction of DC as “overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals” bears little resemblance to actuality. Violent crime in DC has declined considerably since its 2023 peak, and final yr hit its lowest level in additional than 30 years.What’s the massive image? What Trump is doing with DC is technically inside his authority. However given his earlier use (and tried use) of Nationwide Guard troops and legislation enforcement — akin to throughout his first time period when protesters had been tear-gassed outdoors the White Home — there’s loads of trigger for concern.And with that, it’s time to log out…Let’s go together with a enjoyable story about Washington, DC, to shut the e-newsletter. When you’ve by no means learn this now-quite-old piece by the Washington Publish’s Dan Zak about Dave Thomas Circle, you’re lacking out. The circle — not truly a circle, thoughts you, however one thing a lot weirder — was a deeply complicated legacy of Pierre L’Enfant’s unique 1791 plan for the town. The circle is now not with us; it was changed by a much-improved visitors sample and a public plaza earlier this yr. Hopefully, it’s going to stay on as little bit of trivia about an amazing metropolis.