President Trump has moved to increase the number of federal law enforcement on the streets of Washington D.C. — a decision he casts as necessary to combat crime.

It’s a move widely seen as a rebuke to the District’s leadership, including Mayor Muriel Bowser (D).

A lot of specifics are as yet undecided, including the total number of additional federal law enforcement officers who will be deployed, and their exact locations. The White House cited security concerns as the reason not to divulge those details.

However, White House officials say that an increased law enforcement presence will be seen on D.C.’s streets. This is expected to be present mainly late at night.

The effort is being spearheaded by the U.S. Park Police but also involves numerous other agencies including the Capitol Police, the FBI, the Marshals Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that while Washington is “an amazing city” it “has been plagued by violent crime for far too long.” She also said that Trump was “committed” to making D.C. “safer for its residents, lawmakers and visitors from all around the world.”

The idea of a crime crisis in Washington is belied by crime statistics from the city police, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Those statistics show violent crime so far this year down 26 percent from its 2024 levels. The crime levels in 2024 were, in turn, lower than in 2023.

The key question now is, what’s next?

Does Trump extend the use of federal law........

© The Hill