U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is rejecting accusations that he and President Donald Trump want to impose martial law, after Trump announced a major federal crackdown in Washington, D.C.
Speaking on Fox News’ The Ingraham Angle, Hegseth defended Trump’s decision to send up to 1,000 National Guard troops and take control of the D.C. police department. He said the moves are legal and meant to restore order, not to take over cities by force.
Why This Matters
Trump’s decision to use emergency powers to run D.C.’s police force is one of the most aggressive federal actions against local law enforcement in decades. He also warned that similar actions could be taken in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Baltimore.
Martial law happens when the military takes control of civilian areas during an emergency, which critics say Trump is moving toward.
What Happened
Trump used Section 740 of the 1973 D.C. Home Rule Act, which lets the federal government take control for 30 days (and longer with Congress’ approval). This action came after a 19-year-old former government staffer, Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, was attacked during a carjacking in Logan Circle.
When host Laura Ingraham asked about martial law concerns, Hegseth pointed to past events, like when California sent 4,000 National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles during immigration protests. He said those deployments prevented more lawbreaking.
Hegseth also dismissed claims that Trump’s team is targeting political opponents, saying the goal is to use “legal, lawful, and constitutional” actions—such as federalizing police, sending the National Guard, and bringing in federal marshals when local police can’t handle crime.
The Data Dispute
Critics point out that crime in D.C. is actually down. Police data shows violent crime dropped 35% in 2024 and another 26% so far this year—reaching a 30-year low.
Still, Trump called Monday “liberation day” and announced plans to clear homeless encampments, fix streets, and even add a White House ballroom.
Reactions
Hegseth said, “The president has the guts to do what others won’t—federalize police that don’t work, bring in the National Guard, and send in marshals.”
Trump told reporters: “This is liberation day in D.C., and we’re going to take our capital back.”
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott accused Trump of distracting from economic problems, saying Baltimore is the safest it’s been in 50 years, with homicides down 28% this year.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said: “Yes, we had a crime spike in 2023, but this is 2025. We’ve made progress with help from the community, police, prosecutors, and the federal government.”
What’s Next
The 30-day federal control period will test Trump’s crime strategy. Any attempt to expand this approach to other Democrat-led cities is expected to spark legal battles and political pushback.
