Federal Deploys National Guard Under DC Home Rule Act to Manage City Police and Public Safety

The federal government announced the deployment of the National Guard and approximately 500 federal law enforcement officers to assume control over the police department of a major U.S. city, citing public safety concerns and invoking a provision of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. The administration aims to reduce crime and remove homeless encampments from public parks, despite local officials reporting a decline in violent crime and questioning the effectiveness of the federal intervention. The city's mayor expressed concerns about resource allocation and emphasized the need for prosecutorial support and court staffing rather than increased Guard presence. The federal takeover raises legal and jurisdictional issues regarding the balance of authority between federal and local governments, particularly in a federally governed district. The initiative includes agents from multiple federal agencies and reflects a broader federal law enforcement agenda.