Trump Declares ‘Crime Emergency’ in DC, Brings in National Guard — Locals Call It Power Grab

The streets near the White House erupted in boos Monday after President Donald Trump declared a “crime emergency” in Washington, DC — a move that hands control of the city’s local law enforcement to the Justice Department and brings in National Guard troops.

The Pentagon confirmed 800 soldiers were activated, with up to 200 working directly alongside police. Trump framed the move as a crackdown on gangs, drug dealers, and “slums,” promising to “take our capital back.”

But on the ground, the mood was less about crime fears and more about political overreach.

Since its creation in 1790, DC has been under federal control, with Congress holding final say over laws and budgets despite the 1973 Home Rule Act granting limited autonomy. The city’s status as a historically Black-majority — now Black-plurality — area adds a racial dimension to what advocates call systematic disenfranchisement.

And the stats back him up — violent crime is down 35% from 2023 to 2024, and another 26% drop has followed this year, hitting a 30-year low.

For many residents, Trump’s move is less about safety and more about targeting a Democratic stronghold that voted over 90% for Kamala Harris in 2024.

On Monday night, the chants near the White House weren’t about crime stats. They were about power, autonomy, and a city that’s tired of being ruled without a real voice.