Donald Trump threatens to declare national emergency in DC to get his way if Congress doesn’t serve his will

President Donald Trump is thinking about extending federal control over the District of Columbia’s police force for a long time, a decision that would need approval from Congress. The president said he would ask lawmakers to agree to an extension that goes beyond the current 30-day limit on his emergency powers, which he used to deal with crime in the nation’s capital.

Trump warned that if Congress does not take action, he would be ready to declare a national emergency to keep control. Per Fox News, he is also working on a “crime bill” that would first apply to D.C., and he spoke against the push for D.C. statehood, calling it “ridiculous” and saying it was a Democratic plan to gain two more Senate seats.

The federal takeover has involved a large number of law enforcement officers. On one recent night, more than 1,450 people, including police officers, National Guard troops, and federal agents, were part of operations. Since last Thursday, the administration’s efforts have led to a total of 103 arrests, including close to two dozen migrants, and a death soon after.

Trump’s takeover of DC may last longer

Trump said, “Well, if it’s a national emergency, we can do it without Congress. But we expect to be before Congress very quickly. And again, we think the Democrats will not do anything to stop crime, but we think the Republicans will do it almost unanimously. So we’re going to need a crime bill. That we’re going to be putting in, and it’s going to pertain initially to DC. We’re going to use it as a very positive example.

He continued, “You can’t have 30 days. We’re going to do this very quickly, but we’re going to want extensions. I don’t want to call a national emergency, but if I have to I will.”

The federal law enforcement presence includes over 40 agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), who are working with D.C. police and other agencies to reduce crime. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is also stepping up its operations in the area, with agents carrying out “targeted enforcement operations” to arrest immigrants, including one case in a Home Depot parking lot.

The federal involvement has caused mixed reactions. Some residents in the D.C. area support the increased federal presence, saying local authorities are not doing enough to keep people safe. One resident said he was “fully in favor” of having the National Guard there, while another, who had been in prison before, said young people should be held responsible for their actions but also thought Trump was trying to “bully” D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.

Other residents, however, worry that “things could go too far” with the National Guard being involved. The Virginia Police Benevolent Association, a police union, has supported former Democratic Representative Abigail Spanberger for governor, pointing to her experience in law enforcement and her backing of police funding, while also supporting Republicans for other statewide roles.

Democrats, including those who left Texas to stop a redistricting plan, are talking about their next moves in response to the current political situation. Meanwhile, Mayor Bowser has been described as balancing carefully, making the best of the federal help she feels she cannot refuse, even as Trump’s actions have drawn criticism from other Democrats.