Mainstream media reports on President Donald Trump's announced federal takeover of Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) and deployment of National Guard troops highlight a mix of factual accounts, skepticism, and concerns about the implications, often emphasizing discrepancies between Trump's claims and crime data.
Overview of the Takeover: Multiple outlets, including NBC, Politico, USA Today, and The New York Times, report that Trump invoked Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act to temporarily federalize the MPD for up to 30 days, citing a "crime emergency." He also deployed 800 National Guard troops to D.C. streets to address what he described as "out-of-control" crime, with Attorney General Pam Bondi tasked with overseeing the MPD and Drug Enforcement Agency Administrator Terry Cole designated as interim leader.
Crime Statistics Dispute: Media outlets like PolitiFact, NBC, and The Hill note that Trump's justification relies on exaggerated or misleading crime statistics. While Trump claimed D.C. has a higher murder rate than cities like Mexico City and that 2023 saw the highest homicide rate "probably ever," data from the Metropolitan Police Department shows violent crime dropped 26% in 2025 compared to 2024, with homicides down 32% since 2023 (from 274 to 187).
The 2023 homicide rate was the highest in 20 years but not a historical peak, as rates were higher in the 1990s. Outlets also report a significant decline in carjackings (from 607 in 2023 to 188 in 2025 through August 9).
Legal and Political Context: Reports from CBC, Axios, and Washingtonian clarify that the Home Rule Act allows temporary federal control of D.C.'s police for up to 30 days without congressional approval, but a permanent takeover or extension beyond 30 days requires Congress, which faces resistance due to Democratic support for D.C. autonomy.
Some outlets, like Salon and NBC, frame the move as a power play or an escalation of Trump's authoritarian tendencies, noting his prior threats to federalize D.C. and his focus on high-profile incidents, like the assault of a Department of Government Efficiency staffer.
Local Reactions: Mayor Muriel Bowser is frequently quoted, balancing cooperation with federal authorities while defending D.C.'s declining crime trends. She insists the MPD's organizational structure remains unchanged, with Police Chief Pamela Smith still reporting to her. The D.C. Council called the takeover "unwarranted," arguing there is no federal emergency and that the National Guard lacks local law enforcement training. Outlets like DC News Now report mixed reactions, with some businesses supporting aggressive policing but others, including activists, expressing concerns about targeting vulnerable groups like youth and the homeless.
Broader Implications: NPR and Axios highlight Trump's rhetoric targeting not just criminals but also vulnerable populations, like the homeless, with plans to clear encampments. Critics, including D.C. residents and Howard University students, worry about the impact on marginalized groups, particularly Black youth, and question the effectiveness of militarized tactics for complex social issues. Some reports, like those from NBC and USA Today, note Trump's threats to extend similar federal interventions to other Democratic-led cities like Chicago and Baltimore, raising concerns about political motivations.
Media Framing and Criticism: Outlets like Free Beacon question the mainstream media's emphasis on declining crime, pointing to allegations of manipulated crime statistics by a suspended D.C. police commander, as highlighted by the Trump administration. However, these claims remain unverified by independent sources. Meanwhile, reports from The Independent and UPI emphasize the unprecedented nature of the takeover, with some, like Salon, describing it as "ominous" and politically driven rather than evidence-based.