President Donald Trump shared a meal with troops and federal agents in Washington, D.C., on Thursday evening. This gathering was part of his efforts to support law enforcement working in the city. Trump brought burgers from the White House and pizza from a local restaurant to the gathering.
Earlier that day, Trump announced his intention to patrol the streets alongside National Guard troops and law enforcement officers. He visited a U.S. Park Police facility in Southeast D.C., where he expressed his appreciation for their hard work. "You people are winners, and it’s such an honor to be with you,” he said. Trump emphasized his commitment to making Washington, D.C., great again and stated that the country was close to being great as well.
During the event, Trump told the officers they would always have his support. "We’re going to take care of these criminals," he added, indicating a focus on law enforcement and crime reduction.
In recent weeks, Trump has used emergency powers to take control of the D.C. police, aiming to address rising crime rates in the capital. Last year, Washington, D.C., was noted as one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. for homicides per capita. To combat this, Trump called in law enforcement from various agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and activated the D.C. National Guard. Approximately 2,000 National Guardsmen have been deployed around the city to protect federal buildings and deter crime.
The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department reported that the city experienced a murder-free week following Trump’s crackdown. Public information officer Michael Russo confirmed that there were no recorded homicides for the past week, with the last one occurring on August 13. Since Trump enacted emergency powers on August 11, over 630 arrests have been made, and 86 illegal firearms have been seized from the streets.
In addition to law enforcement efforts, the Trump administration has also strengthened the legal side of crime fighting by assigning 20 Judge Advocate General attorneys to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Washington, D.C. This move aims to bolster the prosecution of crimes in the area.
