Aug 11, 2025

🏛️Trump federalizes D.C. police, deploys National Guard

Government

Constitutional Law

Local Issues

On August 11, 2025, President Donald Trump invoked his authority under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (1973), federalizing the Metropolitan Police Department and deploying 800 National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., declaring a “public safety emergency” despite D.C. police data showing violent crime fell 35% in 2024 and a further 26% in the first seven months of 2025 (reuters.com). Attorney General Pam Bondi will oversee the force, and the White House signaled plans to clear homeless encampments on federal land, echoing past federal interventions at urban protests (washingtonpost.com). Local leaders, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Brian Schwalb, condemned the move as unlawful and a breach of the city’s limited self-governance (reuters.com).

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Detailed Content

1

Trump deployed {{blank_1}} National Guard troops and {{blank_2}} FBI agents while claiming DC is "one of the most dangerous cities in the {{blank_3}}" despite violent crime being down {{blank_4}}%.

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National Security

2

Match these stakeholders with their primary positions on President Trump’s August 11, 2025 federal takeover of D.C. policing: Muriel Bowser, the ACLU, National Guard units, and downtown business owners.

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Local Issues

3

How does President Trump’s August 11, 2025 deployment of federal forces to assume control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department conflict with the authority granted to the Mayor and D.C. Council under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973 (87 Stat. 774) and established federalism principles?

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Government

4

Which federal statute, codified at 10 U.S.C. §252 (Insurrection Act of 1807), authorizes the President to deploy the National Guard and assume control of local law enforcement, as President Trump did in Washington, D.C., on August 11, 2025?

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Government

5

What previous federal takeover provides the closest precedent to Trump's DC police action?

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Historical Precedent

6

Who did Trump appoint as interim federal commissioner of the DC Metropolitan Police Department?

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Justice

7

You live in DC and Trump has federalized your local police. Congress could restore home rule, but needs public pressure. How do you build effective resistance?

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Civic Participation

8

True or false: Under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973, the President has authority to unilaterally assume control of the D.C. Metropolitan Police without legislation from Congress.

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Government

9

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Pamela Smith were notified in advance of Trump's federal takeover announcement.

True/False

Government