Edith Hejberg
The move comes with a bold promise: officers will have free rein to deal with what he described as “violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals.”
In a heated press conference on August 11, Donald Trump announced his administration would take control of the Washington, D.C., police department.
“Do Whatever the Hell They Want”
The president, 79, told reporters police can now act without restrictions in confronting crime.
He painted a picture of the capital as overrun by dangerous groups, unruly youth, drug users, and the homeless, vowing a swift crackdown.
Criticism of Mayor Muriel Bowser
Trump accused D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser of failing to keep the city safe, despite recent data showing crime is down.
ABC reports overall crime fell 7% since last year, with violent crime down 26% and property crime down 5%.
‘Liberation Day in D.C.’
Calling the plan “a historic action to rescue our nation’s capital,” Trump promised to restore order quickly.
“This is Liberation Day in D.C.,” he said, likening it to his approach at the southern border.
New Leadership for the Police
Attorney General Pam Bondi will oversee the Metropolitan Police Department, while DEA Administrator Terry Cole steps in as interim federal commissioner. Trump stressed officers will be “highly visible” in marked units.
Crackdown on Homeless Encampments
Trump said homeless people would be removed from D.C.’s parks, which he described as “dirty” and unsafe.
While claiming some individuals’ identities are unknown, he promised relocation “far from the capital.”
Mayor Pushes Back
Mayor Bowser called the takeover “unsettling and unprecedented,” noting the city is at a 30-year low for violent crime.
She added she wasn’t shocked by Trump’s remarks given his past rhetoric.
Public Reaction Online
Social media erupted with criticism. One Reddit user wrote, “This clown and his circus need to be run out of town.” Others questioned whether law enforcement should have unchecked power, warning about the dangers of excessive force.
