Federal officials have arrested more than 100 people in Trump’s DC crackdown – Washington Examiner

Conservative News DailyAugust 13, 2025

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Federal officials have arrested over 100 individuals in Washington, D.C.,sence August 7 as part of president Donald Trump’s federal takeover of the city’s police force to combat crime. Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department and involved multiple federal agencies-including the FBI, ATF, DEA, Customs and Border Protection, and Park Police-in crime prevention efforts. About 1,500 authorities, including 700 federal agents, 30 National Guard troops, and 750 local police officers, took part in enforcement operations.

Those arrested face charges including narcotics offenses, firearms violations, drunk driving, and outstanding warrants. Among the arrests, there has been at least one homicide charge, 24 guns seized, and 23 individuals were found to be in the country illegally. National Guard presence is planned to increase, eventually patrolling 24 hours daily.

MPD Chief Pamela Smith supports the federal involvement, citing a shortage of local officers, while D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed mixed feelings-calling the move an “authoritarian push” but hoping it will be helpful. Trump has indicated a desire to extend the federal enforcement beyond the initial 30-day plan.

Part of the crackdown targets homeless encampments in the district, offering shelter or services, with noncompliance potentially leading to fines or arrests. However, homelessness advocates warn of limited shelter space and complications ahead.

the federal intervention has faced criticism from liberals who argue that Trump is overstepping authority and exaggerating crime issues, despite long-term declines in D.C. crime. Nonetheless, a recent report highlighted concerns, noting a significant increase in the lethality of violent crime in Washington compared to othre cities.

Federal officials have arrested more than 100 people in Trump’s DC crackdown

Law enforcement has arrested more than 100 people in Washington, D.C., since Aug. 7 as President Donald Trump federalized the city’s police force and emphasized fighting crime in the area, a White House official told the Washington Examiner.

Trump federalized the Metropolitan Police Department on Monday as several other federal agencies, including the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Drug Enforcement Administration, Customs and Border Protection, and Park Police, among others, joined in on crime prevention efforts.

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Nearly 1,500 authorities, including 700 federal agents, 30 National Guard troops, and 750 MPD personnel, assisted in enforcement efforts on Tuesday night.

Those arrested so far face charges ranging from narcotics, firearms, drunk driving, and warrant violations. At least one person has been charged with homicide, 24 guns were seized, and 23 of those arrested were in the United States illegally, an official told NewsNation.

Agents from various agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Park Police, and FBI question a couple who had been parked outside a legal parking zone while eating McDonald’s takeout, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in northwest Washington near Kennedy St. NW. The couple was released after a search of the car. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

The White House official also said a “significantly higher” National Guard presence is expected on Wednesday night. On Thursday, the National Guard will begin patrolling 24 hours a day.

MPD Chief Pamela Smith has welcomed the extra law enforcement presence. “You’re talking about 500 additional personnel in the District of Columbia,” Smith said. “We’re down in numbers with our D.C. police officers. So this enhanced presence is going to impact us in a positive way.”

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser has expressed mixed feelings about Trump’s federal enforcement effort. She said the president’s effort amounts to an “authoritarian push” in a meeting with community leaders Tuesday but expressed that she hopes the federal surge “is useful for us” on Wednesday morning.

Trump has said he wants the law enforcement presence to last longer than the 30 days it’s currently slated for.

“We’re going to be asking for extensions on that, long-term extensions, because you can’t have 30 days,” Trump said on Wednesday at the Kennedy Center.

Vehicles with law enforcement agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as Metropolitan Police, drive along Kennedy Street NW, in the early morning of Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025, in the Petworth neighborhood of Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Part of the effort is a directive to clear out homeless encampments and to assist homeless people off the streets. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that people in homeless encampments will be asked to leave, be placed in a shelter, or offered addiction or mental health services.

If they don’t take any of the offers, they will be subject to a fine or arrest.

“If they refuse, they will be susceptible to fines or to jail time,” Leavitt said. “Again, these are preexisting laws that are already on the books. They have not been enforced.”

Homeless advocates told NewsNation that district shelter space is “very limited.” One person living in one of the encampments said the process is “going to be a mess.”

Trump’s influence on district law enforcement has drawn condemnation from liberals who believe he is overreaching his authority and declaring an emergency where there isn’t one. Crime in the district has declined for decades.

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There is some evidence for concern in the region.

A Council on Criminal Justice report in July found that violent crime in Washington resulted in death more often than in 17 other cities from 2018 to 2024, with 2024 lethality data in the district showing a 341% increase when compared to data from 2012.