Trump rolls out additional measures to address crime in Washington, signals nationwide actions
President Trump signed an executive order creating a specialized DC National Guard unit, expanding law enforcement measures in Washington, and signaling possible nationwide deployments to cities like Chicago, New York, and Baltimore.
Washington: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing “additional specific actions” to “further crack down on crime” in Washington, while signaling possible nationwide deployment of the National Guard.
The order directs the secretary of defense to create a “specialized DC National Guard unit” trained to ensure public safety and order in the capital, and to “ensure state National Guards are similarly trained and ready to assist in quelling civil disturbances nationwide.”
Further, the secretary of defense will ensure the availability of a National Guard quick reaction force for “rapid nationwide deployment” when circumstances warrant, according to the order.
The order also instructs the National Park Service to “hire additional United States Park Police officers” to support public safety in Washington, and directs the US Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia to “hire additional prosecutors” to focus on violent and property crimes, Xinhua news agency reported.
CNN described the order as “the clearest sign yet he intends to expand the US military’s role in domestic law enforcement activities across the country.” The report also noted that while National Guard units operate under governors’ control, the order does not clarify what authority units outside Washington would report to if a governor declines to use them.
The order comes days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed National Guard members patrolling Washington to begin carrying service weapons.
Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday that Chicago could be the next city targeted in the federal crime crackdown. He later added New York, along with Chicago, as cities he wants the National Guard to assist in.
On Sunday, Trump threatened to expand deployment to Baltimore during a clash with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who criticized the Washington deployment and invited Trump to visit his state to discuss public safety.
Earlier, on August 11, Trump announced at a White House press conference that the National Guard would help restore law and order in DC. He also cited Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore, and Oakland—mostly Democratic-led cities—as “troubled cities.”