President Donald Trump stated he would patrol D.C. streets on Thursday night alongside the Metropolitan Police Department and National Guard troops, as his Administration continues its efforts to combat crime and assert control over the nation’s capital.
“I anticipate going out tonight with the police and the military, naturally. We are going to accomplish something,” Trump remarked during an interview with conservative talk show host Todd Starnes. “The National Guard is excellent. They have performed splendidly.”
According to a White House official, details regarding the evening’s activities were still being finalized. It remained uncertain how security protocols would accommodate the President’s accompanying law enforcement personnel.
This action follows over a week after Trump assumed authority over the city’s police force and dispatched hundreds of National Guard members throughout the city to address what he described as intolerable crime levels, even though official statistics indicate otherwise in the city. The Trump Administration has contended that the crime figures reported by the city fail to accurately represent the actual crime situation in the nation’s capital.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated on Thursday that arrests have occurred in Washington since federal officers were deployed citywide on August 7. Among these, 251 involved arrests of individuals who are undocumented immigrants.
A survey released on Wednesday indicated that approximately 80% of D.C. residents opposed Trump’s executive order to bring the city’s police department under federal control, and 65% believed Trump’s measures would not enhance the city’s safety.
On Wednesday, Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller convened with National Guard personnel stationed at Union Station, the city’s primary railway terminal, to express gratitude for their service. Protesters jeered and yelled as these officials distributed burgers to the troops.
“We intend to disregard these foolish white hippies who all ought to return home and rest, as they appear to be over 90 years old,” Miller stated in response to the demonstrators. He continued, “And we will resume our task of safeguarding the American populace and the residents of Washington, D.C.”
This is a developing news report and updates will be provided.