Trump Considers Federalizing D.C. Police Amid Standoff with Local Leadership

Tue Sep 16 2025 01:13:43 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a provocative statement on social media, President Trump hinted at the possibility of federalizing Washington D.C.'s police force in response to Mayor Bowser's refusal to cooperate with immigration enforcement. This move follows the expiration of a previous emergency order that placed D.C.'s law enforcement under federal control.

President Trump indicated on Monday that he may federalize Washington D.C.'s police force following Mayor Muriel Bowser's decision to distance the city's law enforcement from immigration enforcement operations. Trump's earlier emergency order that took control over the D.C. police has recently expired, and he suggested that a failure to collaborate on immigration enforcement could lead to increased crime in the capital. Bowser’s office has rejected this assertion, stating they will not engage the local police in immigration enforcement activities, prompting discussions about the balance of federal and local authority in law enforcement within the district.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to once again federalize Washington, D.C.'s police force, in response to the city’s mayor's refusal to cooperate with immigration enforcement.

Trump's emergency order, which took over the local police, expired last week. Hours before its lapse, Mayor Muriel Bowser stated that the city would not work with Immigration, Customs and Enforcement in their operations. The mayor's stance aims to protect local police resources and foster community trust.

In a morning social media post, Trump argued that his intervention had improved crime rates in the city, though stats indicate crime was reducing independently of the law enforcement surge.

Trump warned that ceasing cooperation on immigration enforcement could result in rising crime, stating he would call a National Emergency, and Federalize, if necessary!!! His recent comments have sparked controversies regarding local autonomy versus federal control in policing.

While Bowser's office has yet to provide comments on the latest threats, the history of D.C.'s relationship with federal governance remains a contentious issue, particularly as Congress deliberates over numerous bills aimed at further restricting the district's autonomy.