Restoring Safety in DC

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that President Donald Trump has taken decisive measures to restore order in the nation’s capital. She reported that on the first night of the operation, approximately 850 police officers and federal agents were deployed, resulting in 23 arrests for serious crimes such as homicide, weapons possession, narcotics offenses, driving under the influence, and harassment, in addition to the seizure of six illegal firearms. Leavitt stressed that this is only the beginning of an effort that will extend for a month, aimed at relentlessly pursuing violent criminals and protecting law-abiding citizens.

The official made it clear that the president will not be deterred by what she described as “soft-on-crime Democrats” or by media activists who downplay the violence on the streets. She reiterated that the goal is to transform Washington, D.C. into the safest and most beautiful city in the world, just as Trump promised during his campaign. She detailed that the operational plan is led by the “Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force,” a working group composed of agencies such as the U.S. Park Police, DEA, ICE, the Capitol Police, and the Transit Police, with a strategic deployment in key tourist areas.

As part of these actions, a policy was implemented to dismantle homeless encampments, offering relocation to shelters with medical and support services; if refused, local laws would be enforced, potentially resulting in arrests. The legal basis for the intervention lies in the invocation of Section 740 of the 1973 Home Rule Act, following the declaration of a public safety emergency stemming from a violent attack against Edward Coristine. This allowed the president to assume federal control over the local police and authorize the deployment of up to 800 National Guard troops.

Although official statistics indicate a historic reduction in violent crime in D.C., the administration argued that those figures do not reflect the reality on the streets. Both Police Chief Pam Smith and Mayor Bowser, despite initial criticism, have expressed willingness to cooperate, maintaining that operational command will remain in local hands while federal support is integrated as a temporary measure.

Through these actions, the White House seeks to project a message of urgency and effectiveness: act immediately, use resources efficiently, and restore public safety in a city facing an emergency situation. The approach combines police deployment, social intervention, and legal backing to reestablish order and public confidence in the safety of Washington, D.C.