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Trump to deploy National Guard to Washington, DC

Marianna Evenstein
August 12, 2025

US President Donald Trump says he's placing the Washington, DC police department under federal control and deploying the National Guard to make the city safer. Local officials, however, reject the president's depiction of the capital as crime-ridden and say his actions are illegal.

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US President Donald Trump has declared a public safety emergency in Washington, DC, claiming the city is overrun by crime and homelessness. He announced a federal takeover of local law enforcement, promising a crackdown without detailing plans for displaced homeless populations. The move sparked protests from residents who say the city is safe and community-based solutions are more effective.