President Donald Trump has announced plans to address homelessness and crime in Washington, D.C., including the potential deployment of the National Guard. This announcement has raised concerns from the city’s mayor regarding the implications of federal intervention in local law enforcement.

During a news briefing on Monday, Trump stated, "I am deploying the National Guard to help reestablish law and order and public safety in Washington, D.C., and they’re going to be allowed to do their job properly." He emphasized the need for action, comparing crime rates in Washington unfavorably to those in other major cities worldwide.

Trump's comments come in the wake of a recent assault on a prominent member of the Department of Government Efficiency, which he cited as a catalyst for his proposed measures. He described the current state of the city as unacceptable, saying, "We’re getting rid of the slums, too," and asserting that Washington is just the beginning of his broader law enforcement agenda.

The president's plan involves deploying approximately 500 federal law enforcement officials, including agents from the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, to patrol the streets of the capital. This initiative raises questions about the relationship between federal and local law enforcement, particularly in a city that operates under unique federal jurisdiction.

In a social media post, Trump called for the immediate removal of the homeless population from the city, stating, "The Homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the Capital." He also indicated that criminals would face incarceration rather than relocation.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of using the National Guard for law enforcement. She suggested that federal resources would be better spent on hiring more prosecutors and filling long-standing vacancies in the D.C. Superior Court. Bowser noted that while she cannot activate the National Guard herself, she can request assistance from the Pentagon.

"I just think that’s not the most efficient use of our Guard," Bowser said during an interview. She pointed out that violent crime rates in Washington have actually decreased this year compared to 2023, contradicting Trump's portrayal of the city as dangerous. Police statistics indicate a 26% drop in overall violent crime compared to the previous year.

Trump's recent statements have painted a grim picture of the district, describing it as filled with "tents, squalor, filth, and Crime." He has suggested that the federal government might need to take greater control over the city, a move that would require congressional action to repeal the Home Rule Act of 1973.

Bowser acknowledged that the law allows for increased federal control under certain conditions, but she insisted, "None of those conditions exist in our city right now. We are not experiencing a spike in crime. In fact, we’re watching our crime numbers go down."

As the situation develops, the White House has not provided further details on Trump's plans, and both the police department and the mayor's office have remained silent on potential next steps.