President Donald Trump announced a major change for Washington, D.C., stating he is putting the city's police under direct federal control. He's also sending in the National Guard to help. The President called this "Liberation Day in DC," and explained that it's part of his plan to tackle crime and homelessness in the capital. He even said he's ready to use the military if needed.
Why is this happening?
The President believes that Washington, D.C., is "out of control." He compared the city's safety issues to other international capitals and said he's deploying about 800 National Guard troops to restore order. This action involves using a specific law called the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to take control of the city's police department. Trump mentioned this strategy might be used in other cities too, and he wants to "get rid of slums."
What does this mean for residents?
In a social media post, the President directly addressed the homeless population, telling them to "move out, IMMEDIATELY." He said they would be given housing "FAR from the Capital." As for criminals, he said they would be sent to jail. It’s worth noting that Washington, D.C., isn't a state, so the federal government has a lot of power over its affairs. While the city has its own elected mayor and council, their laws and budget can be reviewed and even vetoed by Congress. Even though the city has faced public safety issues, it's not ranked among the most violent cities in the U.S. and preliminary data for 2024 shows that crime rates are actually declining.
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