U.S. President Donald Trump is set to deliver what he has called a “major announcement” on Monday regarding crime in Washington D.C.
Posting on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump wrote:
“We’re having a news conference tomorrow at the White House. I’m going to make our capital safer and more beautiful than it ever was before. The homeless have to move out, IMMEDIATELY. We will give you places to stay, but FAR from the capital. The criminals, you don’t have to move out. We’re going to put you in jail where you belong. It’s all going to happen very fast, just like the border. We went from millions pouring in, to ZERO in the last few months. This will be easier—be prepared! There will be no ‘Mr. Nice Guy.’ We want our capital BACK.”
In a follow-up post, Trump criticized D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, claiming she had been given “many chances” but failed to curb rising crime.
While Washington D.C. is a federal district rather than part of any U.S. state, it maintains a local government. Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of placing the city under federal administration, though such a move would require congressional approval. However, the president does have authority to temporarily take control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for up to 48 hours under emergency conditions—extendable to 30 days—or to deploy the D.C. National Guard, which operates under his direct command.
Last Thursday, Trump announced a seven-day crime suppression operation in the capital, deploying federal law enforcement led by the U.S. Park Police and including agencies such as the FBI, DEA, ATF, and ICE. The operation will target high-traffic tourist areas and aligns with Trump’s March executive order establishing the “D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force” to address crime, homelessness, and urban blight.
The nature of Monday’s announcement remains unclear, but Trump’s remarks have fueled speculation that it could involve a larger federal law enforcement or National Guard presence in the capital.