President Donald Trump has warned of declaring another national emergency in Washington, DC, should local police refuse to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
This statement follows the expiration last week of the federal takeover and emergency declaration made in August, which involved deploying National Guard troops to combat crime in the district.
Trump's comments, shared via Truth Social, emphasize that the previous measures significantly reduced criminal activity, but non-cooperation with ICE could reverse these gains.
The president's post highlights his intent to protect residents and businesses from a potential surge in crime, vowing to federalize the situation if needed.
In his overnight Truth Social message, Trump accused Mayor Muriel Bowser of allowing a "violent criminal takeover" of the capital for years and now informing the federal government that the Metropolitan Police Department will cease cooperating with ICE in removing "dangerous illegal aliens."
He stated:
If I allowed this to happen, CRIME would come roaring back. To the people and businesses of Washington, D.C., DON’T WORRY, I AM WITH YOU, AND WON’T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. I’ll call a National Emergency, and Federalize, if necessary!!!
This marks a shift from Trump's recent praise for Bowser's cooperation with federal authorities.
Bowser issued an order on September 2 mandating indefinite cooperation with federal law enforcement, but it omitted specific mention of ICE.
She clarified last week that the Metropolitan Police Department would not engage in immigration enforcement, expecting a return to normal operations.
“Immigration enforcement is not what MPD does, and with the end of the emergency, it won’t be what MPD does in the future,” Bowser said.
The August emergency declaration placed the Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and deployed over 2,000 troops, including ICE members, leading to a notable decline in crime.
Trump has described the district as "absolutely booming" with "virtually NO CRIME" for the first time in decades following the intervention.
However, while crime rates have dropped, claims of zero crime are inaccurate.
Critics view the federal actions as a dangerous power grab and overreach, especially amid protests this month against the National Guard deployment aimed at restoring law and order.
Bowser's office has not yet commented on Trump's latest post.
The D.C. National Guard, unlike state units, reports directly to the president when federalized, underscoring the unique federal authority over the district.