President Donald Trump has reiterated his willingness to federalize the police in Washington, D.C., should the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) refuse to cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This statement comes after the expiration of Trump's prior federal takeover of the MPD, which lasted for 30 days and was part of his broader strategy to address crime in the capital.
On Monday, Trump claimed that D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser had notified the federal government that the MPD would cease its cooperation with ICE concerning the removal of undocumented immigrants. He warned that without federal intervention, crime could escalate in the city. Trump expressed his commitment to the residents and businesses of D.C. through a post on Truth Social, stating he would declare a National Emergency if necessary.
In August, Trump had declared a public safety emergency and invoked the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to take control of the MPD. Although Bowser had issued an order for city officials to coordinate with federal law enforcement following the emergency's expiration, she clarified that immigration enforcement was not within the MPD's responsibilities. This decision aligns with the city’s ongoing legal battle against the Trump Administration regarding the deployment of National Guard troops in D.C.
Despite the federal takeover ending last week, National Guard troops remain stationed in the city until at least the end of November. The city has raised concerns about the legality of this deployment, citing laws that restrict military involvement in local law enforcement. Trump has also threatened to send the National Guard to other cities experiencing crime issues, further escalating tensions surrounding federal law enforcement practices.