U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth disagrees with critics who say President Donald Trump wants to declare martial law. This comes after Trump announced a big federal takeover of the police in Washington, D.C.
On Fox News, Hegseth explained that sending up to 1,000 National Guard troops and federal control over the city’s police is a legal way to bring back order.
Why This Matters
Trump’s decision to take control of D.C.’s police is one of the strongest actions the federal government has taken over a city’s police in recent years.
This action might happen in other cities too. Trump mentioned Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and Baltimore as possible places for similar federal involvement.
What Is Martial Law?
Martial law means the military takes control of a city during an emergency.
What’s Going On?
Trump used a law from 1973 that lets the federal government control D.C. for 30 days. After that, Congress must approve if the control continues. This happened after an attack on a young man named Edward Coristine during a carjacking attempt in Logan Circle.
During the Fox News interview, the host asked Hegseth if they wanted martial law. Hegseth said no and pointed out that in Los Angeles, thousands of National Guard troops helped during protests, showing that the military can help keep peace without declaring martial law.
He also said critics wrongly accuse them of wanting to arrest political enemies. Hegseth said their actions are legal and constitutional, including taking over police, sending National Guard soldiers, and bringing federal marshals when local police can’t handle problems.
But there’s a twist: crime in D.C. has actually dropped to its lowest in 30 years, with violent crime falling a lot in the last two years.
Trump called the day the federal troops arrived “liberation day” and said he wants to clean up the city by removing homeless camps, fixing streets, and adding new things like a White House ballroom.
What People Are Saying
Hegseth said, “The president wants to bring law and order by following the law. People don’t like him because he has the courage to take strong action.”
Trump said at a White House news event, “This is liberation day in D.C., and we’re taking back our capital.”
Baltimore’s mayor, Brandon Scott, said Trump is distracting people from bigger problems like the economy. He added that Baltimore is safer than it has been in over 50 years, with homicides down 28% this year.
Washington, D.C.’s mayor, Muriel Bowser, said crime was high in 2023 but has improved by working with police and the community, including the federal government.
What’s Next?
The federal government will control D.C. for 30 days. Trump says he might do the same in other cities led by Democrats. But this will probably lead to legal battles and political fights.
