Trump orders major crackdown on DC crime

President Donald Trump has ordered an increase in federal law enforcement officials deployed in Washington, D.C., following his threat to “federalize” D.C. after former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee Edward Coristine was brutally beaten this week. 

A source familiar with the situation told Fox News that the Trump administration is deploying more law enforcement officials to improve public safety in D.C. as part of a seven-day operation, which began on Thursday at midnight and is expected to last seven days; however, the operation could be extended “as needed.” 

Fox News reported that the Trump administration’s crackdown on crime in D.C. comes after the president signed an executive order in March to create the “Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force.” The outlet noted that the seven-day operation will involve law enforcement officials from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations concentrating on public safety in tourist spots and other locations throughout the nation’s capital.

The anonymous source told Fox News that the Trump administration’s effort to crack down on the “out-of-control violent crime plaguing DC” is an “ongoing priority” for Trump. The source indicated that the deployment of additional law enforcement officials throughout the city will provide safety to D.C. residents and visitors from the “scourge of violent crime.”

“President Trump promised to Make DC Safe Again on the campaign trail – this is another promise kept,” the source said.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News, “Washington, DC is an amazing city, but it has been plagued by violent crime for far too long. President Trump has directed an increased presence of federal law enforcement to protect innocent citizens. Starting tonight, there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C.”

“President Trump is committed to making our Nation’s capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors from all around the world,” Leavitt added. 

The president’s latest move to deploy additional law enforcement officials in D.C. comes after he warned on Monday that he would have “no choice but to take federal control” of the city if local leaders did not take steps to improve the safety of the city. Trump explained that D.C. is “totally out of control” with gang members and young people “randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens.”

Trump warned, “If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City.”