The DC Police Union fired back at Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen after he criticized President Donald Trump’s decision to put the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) under federal control and send the National Guard to Washington, D.C.
On Monday, President Trump announced that hundreds of National Guard troops would be sent to the city and that the MPD would be controlled by the federal government. He said this was because crime in D.C. was “out of control.”
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Allen called the move “extreme, outrageous, and dangerous.” He said the National Guard is trained for war, not for working with local communities. Allen also accused Trump of trying to create “compelling TV” to distract from his own problems.
Allen said, “The President taking over local control of MPD and putting the U.S. military on the streets of D.C. under the name of public safety is wrong. It’s an extreme and dangerous move for our city and its residents.”
The DC Police Union responded quickly on social media, saying, “Very brave of you to post this since it is entirely your fault.”
This response shows the tension between Allen and the police. As chairman of the Council’s Judiciary and Public Safety Committee, Allen has supported changes to criminal laws, early release for some prisoners, and cutting police funding. Critics say these decisions helped cause a rise in crime and made offenders bolder.
Last year, some Capitol Hill residents, led by Jennifer Squires and April Brown, tried to recall Allen, blaming him for weakening public safety. They raised over $56,000 and collected many signatures but fell short by about 900 signatures needed to force a special election. The recall effort failed, and Allen stayed in office.
Several serious crimes have made headlines in recent years, adding to public anger:
- In July 2025, Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, a 21-year-old congressional intern, was killed in a shooting in Northwest Washington. Police said he was not the intended target.
- In August 2025, Elias Rodriguez was charged with federal hate crimes after allegedly killing two Israeli Embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum. Prosecutors said he planned the attack and shouted “Free Palestine” when arrested.
- In February 2024, Michael Gill, a 56-year-old father, was fatally shot during a long crime spree across D.C. and Maryland.
- In March 2023, Phillip Todd, an aide to Senator Rand Paul, was stabbed four times in a random daylight attack.
- In June 2024, Leslie Marie Gaines died after a carjacker stole her SUV with her still inside and crashed it.
- In March 2021, Mohammad Anwar, a 66-year-old Uber Eats driver, was killed during a carjacking by two teenage girls. The case became a symbol of youth violence in D.C.
The conflict between Allen and the police union is happening as parts of D.C. face more crime problems, including youth violence.
Recently, police reimposed a curfew zone in Navy Yard after a teenage boy fired a stolen gun at children. Just weeks earlier, teens took over parts of that neighborhood.
Also, a group of 20 to 30 teenagers damaged a convenience store in Northeast D.C. late Friday. Two 15-year-olds were arrested for attacking a former government employee during an attempted carjacking in Logan Circle.
Supporters of Trump’s action say these events show lawlessness and poor local leadership. Critics like Allen argue that putting the military in charge of police will cause more problems, take away local control, and put untrained soldiers in dangerous roles.
Allen said on X, “Today’s announcement will put untrained and unaccountable military members in an impossible position in our communities. It’s unnecessary, unwarranted, and a dangerous use of power in the Nation’s Capital just because he can.”
With crime rates and public opinions sharply divided, the debate over safety and who should control the police continues — with Allen right in the middle.
