Trump federalises Washington police, deploys National Guard to tackle crime

On August 11, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth explained President Donald Trump’s bold move to federalise Washington, D.C.’s police force as part of a wider crackdown on crime.

Speaking on "The Ingraham Angle," Hegseth said federal forces would work alongside local law enforcement as "force multipliers."

Trump declared it "Liberation Day" by placing the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under federal control and announced that 800 National Guard troops would be deployed in the coming week. This step follows recent violent incidents in the capital, including the assault of a former DOGE staffer and the fatal shooting of a 21-year-old congressional intern near the White House in June.

Hegseth questioned, “If our capital city is a mess, if we can't control our capital city, then what does the rest of the country look like?”

When asked about the length of the National Guard deployment, Hegseth said it would be "conditions-based," with the administration committed to supporting law enforcement to ensure those arrested are “actually locked up.” He highlighted Trump’s focus on issues like cashless bail and sanctuary cities, stressing, “If you're illegal here in D.C., that’s going to be a problem.”

The deployment could last weeks or months, with the final decision resting with the president.

Responding to criticism that the administration is behaving like “authoritarians,” Hegseth dismissed such claims as recycled accusations similar to those made during efforts to control protests targeting ICE officers in Los Angeles last June. He insisted Trump’s goal is to restore law and order through legal, constitutional means, adding, “You know why they don’t like him? He’s got the guts to do it.”

In June, Trump had also deployed 700 Marines and 4,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles despite opposition from California Governor Gavin Newsom.

By Tamilla Hasanova