Trump to patrol Washington streets with police, National Guard in crime crackdown

US President Donald Trump on Thursday said that he plans to patrol the streets of Washington, DC, alongside police and National Guard troops, as part of what he claims is a crackdown on crime in the nation’s capital.

“I’m going to be going out tonight I think with the police and with the military of course… We’re going to be doing a job,” AFP quoted Trump as saying during an interview with Newsmax, a right-wing media outlet.

“The National Guard is great. They’ve done a fantastic job,” he added.

It is unclear whether Trump has formal clearance or coordination with law enforcement or military officials for such an appearance.

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According to The Hill report, citing a White House official, the details of what Trump would be doing were forthcoming.

The Trump administration has intensified its federal law enforcement presence in Washington, D.C., this month, citing what it calls an “unacceptable” level of crime, despite data showing violent crime has declined in both 2024 and 2025.

Last week, President Trump took federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department and deployed hundreds of National Guard troops across the city.

According to the White House, over 600 arrests have been made since federal deployments began on August 7, including 251 undocumented immigrants.

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Critics argue the crackdown is politically motivated and unnecessary, pointing to falling crime rates and widespread opposition.

A Washington Post–Schar School poll released Wednesday found 65% of D.C. residents believe Trump’s actions won’t make the city safer, while nearly 80% oppose his executive order to federalize the police.

Despite the backlash, White House officials insist statistics don’t reflect what they call the city’s “real state of decay.”

Vice President JD Vance, Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller visited National Guard troops at Union Station on Wednesday to show support. The visit was met with protests, which Miller dismissed mockingly.

“We’re going to ignore these stupid white hippies that all need to go home and take a nap because they’re all over 90 years old,” The Hill quoted Miller as saying.

“And we’re going to get back to the business of protecting the American people and the citizens of Washington, D.C,” he added.

With inputs from agencies