President Donald Trump’s bold move to temporarily seize control of Washington, D.C.’s police force is nearing its 30-day limit, and Congress appears ready to let the order expire. Still, the results of his “crime emergency” are undeniable: a dramatic drop in crime, including an 87% reduction in carjackings, and a city that finally felt like its capital again.
Back in August, Trump invoked the D.C. Home Rule Act, deployed hundreds of National Guard troops, and told the nation he was going to “take our capital back.” And he did. Residents who had been living in fear suddenly saw neighborhoods calm down, businesses rebound, and tourists return. Trump summed it up perfectly: “We have no crime… You’re not going to be shot.” Strong words, but ones backed by results.
While House Republicans don’t seem poised to extend the takeover beyond September 10, they’re hardly walking away. GOP leaders are already advancing legislation to toughen penalties for criminals and to “beautify the district” by scrubbing graffiti and restoring monuments—because law and order doesn’t just mean fewer crimes, it means pride in our nation’s capital.
Kentucky Rep. James Comer, who chairs the House Oversight Committee, said it best: “Together with President Trump, we will fulfill our constitutional duty to oversee District affairs and make D.C. safe again.” That’s the kind of oversight Washington has needed for years.
Of course, Democrats are throwing their usual tantrums. D.C.’s non-voting delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Sen. Chris Van Hollen claim Trump is “playing dictator.” But what they call dictatorship, Americans call leadership. When citizens see masked thugs on the streets and skyrocketing violence, they don’t care about political talking points—they care about being able to walk outside without fear.
Mayor Muriel Bowser, despite grumbling about “trust issues” with federal agents, has been forced to admit the results. She ordered the city’s emergency operations center to continue working with federal agencies even after Trump’s order lapses. Why? Because when crime plummets, it’s hard to argue with success.
National Guard troops—more than 1,300 strong—will remain in the city for the foreseeable future thanks to Republican governors. So while the official takeover may expire, the message remains: under Trump’s leadership, America’s capital proved that law and order still works.
