Trump to Take Over D.C. Police and Deploy the National Guard in Effort to Fight Crime in the Nation’s Capital

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President Donald Trump on Monday announced he will deploy approximately 800 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and federalize the city’s police in an effort to fight crime.

The moves mark a significant escalation in the president’s attacks on the nation’s capital. Trump on Sunday claimed the district was “one of the most dangerous cities anywhere in the World,” although the Justice Department said that the crime rate fell to a 30-year low last year.

The president also said that he would declare a public safety emergency in D.C. and that Attorney General Pam Bondi would “take command of the Metropolitan Police Department as of this moment.”

One hundred to 200 troops out of the 800 activated “will be supporting law enforcement at any given time,” Army Public Affairs confirmed, adding that the troops would have “administrative, logistics and physical presence” tasks.

“When you walk down the street, you’re going to see police or you’re going to see FBI agents,” Trump said during a press availability Monday morning. “We’re going to have a lot of agents on the street. You’re going to have a lot of, essentially military. And we will bring in the military if it’s needed.”

NBC News previously reported that Trump was considering ordering the National Guard into the district. He announced that around 800 National Guard troops would be deployed, but said he would send “much more if necessary.”

Bondi, who Trump said will helm D.C. police, declared that crime would end in D.C.

“Let me be crystal clear: Crime in D.C. is ending and ending today,” she said.

Trump must notify certain members of Congress within 48 hours about the reason for taking over control of police and the estimated timeline for federal control, according to the D.C. Home Rule Act. Trump said he would make the “appropriate” notifications to Congress and the mayor’s office.

The act also indicates that Trump can take control of the D.C. police for 30 days, unless Congress authorizes an extension.

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said she would comply with Trump’s directive, which she called “unsettling and unprecedented.”

“We will follow the law,” she told reporters after the president’s announcement. “I’m going to work every day to make sure it’s not a complete disaster” and get this “so-called emergency” put to an end, Bowser said.

Ahead of the announcement, Trump on Sunday railed against homelessness in the city. Trump on Monday said that the administration would remove homeless encampments.