SHOTLIST

WASHINGTON DC, US (AUG. 11, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1.⁠ ⁠US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SPEAKING AT PRESS CONFERENCE
WASHINGTON DC, US - AUG. 11: US President Donald Trump announced Monday that he is placing local police in the nation's capital under federal control, and said he is deploying the National Guard to address what he called a "public safety emergency."

Trump claimed that Washington, D.C. "has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged out maniacs and homeless people, and we're not going to let it happen anymore."

"This is liberation day in D.C., and we're going to take our capital back. We're taking it back," Trump said, adding that he is placing the Metropolitan Police Department "under direct federal control."

"I'm deploying the National Guard to help re-establish law and order and public safety in Washington, D.C., and they're going to be allowed to do their job properly," he added.

The president's allegations of soaring crime in the nation's capital are at stark odds with the city's official crime data, however.

D.C. police reported a 26% decrease in violent crime overall compared to the same point in 2024. There has been a further 7% decrease in property crimes, such as burglary and theft. Trump alleged that the figures are "phony."

D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb quickly rebuked the president's announcement, calling his actions "unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful."

"There is no crime emergency in the District of Columbia. Violent crime in DC reached historic 30-year lows last year, and is down another 26% so far this year," he said on X. "We are considering all of our options and will do what is necessary to protect the rights and safety of District residents."

Trump cited Section 740 of the 1973 Home Rule Act as the legal pretext for federalizing D.C. police. The article allows for a president to declare an emergency in D.C. and assume control of the department for up to 30 days. Attorney General Pam Bondi is being tapped to take control of the D.C. police department, according to the president.

Trump said he would be deploying 800 National Guard troops to the US capital, and held the door open to sending even more, saying, "we will bring in the military if needed."

Police, the National Guard and federal agents will be tasked with clearing homeless encampments "from all over our parks, our beautiful, beautiful parks," Trump said. He further claimed that federal authorities would be conducting roadwork in the nation's capital, though it is unclear what authorities he has to do so, or which agencies he would use.

Trump appeared to suggest that he would emulate the actions he is taking in D.C. in other cities.

"It's going to be so safe, it's going to be a model. And then, we'll look at other cities also. But other cities are studying what we’re doing," he said. "This will go further. We're starting very strongly with D.C., and we're going to clean it up real quick."