United States President Donald Trump has said he may again declare a national emergency to take control of Washington, DC’s police department if the city does not cooperate with federal plans to deport migrants.
Trump previously declared an emergency to federalise the city’s police department for 30 days, with the order expiring last week. Washington, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser has directed the city to cooperate with federal law enforcement, but said she did not expect this to include Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“Mayor Muriel Bowser, who has presided over this violent criminal takeover of our Capital for years, has informed the Federal Government that the Metropolitan Police Department will no longer cooperate with ICE in removing and relocating dangerous illegal aliens,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“If I allowed this to happen, CRIME would come roaring back. To the people and businesses of Washington, D.C., DON’T WORRY, I AM WITH YOU, AND WON’T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. I’ll call a National Emergency, and Federalize, if necessary!!!”
More than 2,000 troops have been deployed to Washington, DC under Trump’s orders. The administration has not announced an end date for their deployment, though thousands protested earlier this month to call for their withdrawal.
Bowser established an operations centre on 2 September that would require city authorities to coordinate with federal law enforcement, such as the FBI, Capitol Police, and Marshals Service. Her order does not mention ICE.
Bowser also said last week that she did not expect Washington, DC police to participate in immigration enforcement after the end of the emergency period, in what she called a return to the “status quo”.
The previous emergency period was not extended, as this would have required approval from Congress. It is unclear if Trump can declare another emergency without Congress’ action.
While Trump claimed on Truth Social that federalising Washington, DC’s police had led to “virtually no crime”, violent crime in the district had declined to 30-year lows before the emergency was declared.
Total reported crime in the city decreased to 1,994 incidents over the past month, dropping from 2,528 incidents one year ago.
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