An MS-13 gang member with prior convictions for driving while intoxicated and drug possession was among 52 individuals arrested Monday night in Washington, D.C., as the Trump administration responds to critics questioning the effectiveness of its enforcement actions.
“At the direction of [President Donald Trump], our nation’s capital is a SAFER place—and we are just getting started. 52 arrests were made last night, including an MS-13 gang member, and 9 firearms were taken off the streets,” Bondi posted to X on Tuesday morning.
“Since our mission began, there have been a total of 465 arrests, 68 guns seized, and charges for homicide, narcotics, and firearm offenses. Nearly half of these arrests occurred in the high-crime areas of DC. Residents and tourists alike appreciate this extraordinary effort by our DC and Federal law enforcement partners,” she added. “Make DC Safe Again!”
Other arrests included assault with a deadly weapon, federal parole violations for robbery, murder, attempted murder warrants, assaulting federal law enforcement officials, felony assault, and carrying a pistol without a license, according to the White House. Four homeless encampments were also cleared Monday, bringing the total cleared to 48.
A White House official told Fox News on background that over 450 arrests have been made since Thursday, Aug. 7. Out of 212 non-immigration arrests, 101 occurred in the high-crime Wards 7 and 8, Axios reported, citing a White House analysis.
The Department of Homeland Security released several names of recent arrestees exclusively to Fox News. Salvadoran national Cristian Salmeron-Osorio, a member of MS-13, had prior assault convictions. DHS also identified 18th Street gang member Jossue Garcia-Portillo and Venezuelan national Geiser Fernandez-Vasquez, previously convicted of kidnapping.
Other notable arrests included Salvadoran nationals Carlos Fuentes and Leonel Bautista-Cruz, convicted of kidnapping and burglary, respectively. Salvadoran national Jose Menendez and Guatemalan national Jose Menendez were both convicted of assault. Additional suspects faced charges ranging from assault to commercialized sexual offenses and larceny.
The White House noted that these figures counter a map “tracking troops” in the capital published by The Washington Post. “Facts are stubborn things,” spokesperson Abigail Jackson posted to X on Tuesday morning.
On Friday, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin highlighted ICE’s role in the federal takeover of policing in the city.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership, ICE law enforcement is being unleashed to keep America safe from dangerous criminals. As the secretary has announced, ICE and CBP have been deployed to help clean up the streets of our nation’s capital,” McLaughlin stated.
“Our message is clear: Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States,” she added.
Amid Trump’s crime crackdown in D.C., Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser criticized the federalization of the city’s police force.
“This is a time where community needs to jump in. We all need to, to do what we can in our space, in our lane, to protect our city and to protect our autonomy, to protect our home rule, and get to the other side of this guy, and make sure we elect a Democratic House so that we have a backstop to this authoritarian push,” Bowser said during a town hall livestreamed on X last week, calling the effort “an intrusion on our autonomy.”
The National Guard has been deployed across the city, though the White House stated they are not currently making arrests.
Last week, Bondi issued an order overriding the city’s sanctuary policies to ensure cooperation between local police and federal immigration authorities.
“At my direction, [the Metropolitan Police Department] will now fully cooperate with federal immigration authorities,” Bondi tweeted on Friday. “[President Donald Trump] remains in control under the law to determine what is necessary and appropriate.”
The federal enforcement action has drawn significant criticism from Democrats, including local leaders who argue it constitutes federal overreach despite D.C.’s unique legal status.
“Let us be clear: armed soldiers should not be policing American citizens on American soil. Instead of making DC more secure, it undermines public safety and endangers our democracy. It’s DC today, but the same dangerous strategy can be deployed to occupy any American community,” D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb tweeted Tuesday morning.
