President Donald Trump says he will announce on Monday a new plan to fight crime and homelessness in Washington, D.C. This comes after he recently sent more federal law enforcement officers to the city and suggested he might call in the National Guard.
Trump is scheduled to speak at the White House at 10 a.m. about his plan to make D.C. “safer and more beautiful than it ever was before.” In a social media post, he said, “The homeless have to move out immediately. We will give you places to stay, but far from the Capital. Criminals, you don’t have to move out — we’re going to put you in jail where you belong.”
Last week, Trump ordered several federal agencies — including the Secret Service, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service — to send more than 120 officers to D.C. for at least a week. He said he might extend their stay if needed.
The president also said he is considering taking direct federal control of the city, claiming crime is “ridiculous” and D.C. is “unsafe.” One reason for his comments was the recent assault of Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency employee, during an attempted carjacking. Two 15-year-olds were arrested, and police are looking for more suspects.
Mayor Muriel Bowser disagrees with Trump’s plan, saying the city is not experiencing a spike in crime and that crime numbers are actually going down. She also said using the National Guard for regular law enforcement is not the most effective approach.
Bowser noted that while the president has the power to bring in the Guard or increase federal law enforcement, she believes the federal government could help more by funding additional prosecutors and filling vacant judge positions in the city’s courts.
Trump has hinted that Congress could repeal the Home Rule Act of 1973, which gives D.C. some control over its own affairs, returning more authority to the federal government. Such a move would face strong opposition.
For now, the mayor says she is waiting to see what Trump will announce, but expects it will involve sending even more federal officers into D.C. neighborhoods.
