White House Announces 24/7 Federal Patrols in Washington Amid ‘Criminal Emergency’

The White House has ordered 24/7 federal patrols in Washington after President Trump declared a “criminal emergency” and took control of the city’s police. While 23 arrests were made on day one, critics note most were minor offences and point to historically low violent crime levels.

The White House has confirmed that federal agents will patrol Washington, DC around the clock, with a heightened presence expected following President Donald Trump’s declaration of a “criminal emergency” in the US capital. The move follows Monday’s federal takeover of the city’s police department under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which allows presidential control for up to 30 days during emergencies.

Trump has deployed 800 National Guard personnel alongside federal law enforcement, claiming that Washington has become “lawless” and requires direct federal intervention. Officials said that while small groups of federal officers had been visible in scattered locations over recent days, their presence will now be significantly more pronounced, both day and night.

On the first day of federal control, joint patrols by city police and federal officers resulted in 23 arrests. However, DC council member Christina Henderson downplayed the numbers, noting that most arrests appeared to stem from routine traffic stops rather than serious criminal incidents.

The president has indicated he will push Republican lawmakers in Congress to extend the period of federal control beyond the 30-day limit, arguing that the intervention is necessary to restore order. Critics, however, point to police data showing that violent crime in the city is currently at a 30-year low, following a temporary spike two years ago.

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This latest move has sparked political tension, with Trump previously threatening to impose similar federal oversight on other Democrat-led cities such as Chicago. Supporters of the decision say it will strengthen public safety, while opponents argue it undermines local governance and misrepresents the city’s crime situation.