Trump threatens emergency and federal control in Washington D.C. over immigration
President Donald Trump said Sunday evening that he is ready to declare a national emergency and federalize Washington, D.C. if city leaders stop cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.
In a social media post, Trump claimed his administration had transformed the capital from “one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. and even the world” into “one of the safest — in just a few weeks.”
Trump accuses Mayor Bowser of undermining ICE cooperation
Trump accused Mayor Muriel Bowser, a Democrat, of trying to undo progress by halting cooperation between the Metropolitan Police Department and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to Trump, Bowser told the federal government that D.C. police would no longer help ICE in removing “dangerous illegal aliens.” Trump warned that if this policy continues, “crime would come roaring back.” He pledged to declare a national emergency and take federal control “if necessary.”
Trump points to earlier emergency order in D.C.
In mid-August, Trump issued an executive order declaring an emergency in Washington, D.C. He deployed federal law enforcement and the National Guard, citing “rampant crime.” However, that order expired last week. Now Trump must seek Congressional approval to maintain direct authority over the city’s police. With Republicans controlling both the House and Senate, Trump appears to have political backing.
Longstanding clashes over sanctuary policies
Mayor Bowser has repeatedly clashed with Trump on immigration and law enforcement. Washington, D.C. identifies as a sanctuary city, which restricts cooperation with federal immigration agencies.
Earlier this year, Trump also sent the National Guard to Los Angeles during protests against his immigration policies. More recently, he announced plans to deploy troops to Memphis, Tennessee, and suggested similar measures could extend to New Orleans, Baltimore, and Chicago.
