President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday his intention to pursue more permanent federal oversight of the Washington, D.C., police force. This move comes as part of his ongoing efforts to enhance crime enforcement in the capital. Earlier this week, Trump declared a public safety emergency, which allowed him to deploy National Guard troops and temporarily assume control of the D.C. police department.

Trump's current authority over the police force is set to expire in 30 days, after which Congress will need to intervene. When asked if he would collaborate with Congress to extend this emergency authorization, Trump stated he would seek a “long-term” extension of federal control. “We’re going to be asking for extensions on that — long-term extensions, because you can’t have 30 days,” he said during an event at the Kennedy Center.

In addition to seeking control, Trump indicated he would request additional funding from Congress to combat crime and improve the city’s infrastructure. He emphasized plans to beautify Washington, including road repairs, graffiti removal, and enhancements to parks. “We’re going to make Washington beautiful. We’re going to redo roads. We’re going to take all the graffiti off,” Trump said. He expressed confidence that Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham and other Republicans would support this funding.

Despite Trump’s claims of rising crime, police statistics indicate that violent crime in D.C. has decreased over the past two years. Trump defended his stance, stating, “Fighting crime is a good thing. We have to explain we’re going to fight crime — that’s a good thing.” He criticized Democrats for labeling him a dictator, urging them to join him in efforts to enhance safety in the city.

As part of the increased security measures, National Guard troops began deploying in larger numbers along the National Mall. According to sources, the plan involves sending activated Army soldiers to various locations around the Mall overnight, ensuring they are visible to residents by Friday morning. A joint task force, led by Army Col. Larry Doane, is being established, with approximately 800 soldiers expected to be activated. However, only 100 to 200 troops will be visible on the streets at any given time, as many will be assigned to administrative roles.

On Tuesday night, over 1,450 federal law enforcement officers and National Guard members patrolled Washington, resulting in 43 arrests, nearly double the number from the previous night. The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department contributed 750 officers to this effort, focusing on anti-crime initiatives. A White House official noted that the National Guard presence would transition to 24/7 operations starting Wednesday night.

Despite the heightened security, there was no visible increase in law enforcement presence around key areas of Washington on Wednesday afternoon. The National Mall, known for its safety and tourist attractions, saw National Guard troops stationed there earlier in the week, but they left by Wednesday morning. The rationale for the military presence in this area remains unclear, as it is typically a safe zone for visitors.