Feds Kick Off Trump’s Violent Crime Crackdown With Over 100 Arrests: D.C. ‘WILL Be Safe Again’
Federal authorities have arrested more than 100 people in Washington, D.C., since last Thursday as part of President Donald Trump’s “Liberation Day” crackdown on violent crime, which includes deploying the National Guard and federalizing the city’s police force. The sweeping operation has brought an unprecedented federal presence to the capital, with FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Capitol Police agents working alongside the Metropolitan Police Department to hit known crime hotspots.
According to the White House, 103 suspects have been taken into custody, including 43 arrests on Tuesday alone. Charges range from homicide and illegal firearms possession to drug offenses, DUI violations, and restraining order breaches. FBI Director Kash Patel called the arrests “the first big push” in a sustained federal effort, noting that one suspect was wanted for a prior murder and others had multiple outstanding warrants. Patel emphasized that when law enforcement is given full backing, “they can clean up our streets and do it fast,” promising more action in the coming weeks.
The show of force has been visible across the city, with five armored personnel carriers stationed near the Washington Monument and heavily armed joint patrols moving through high-crime areas. Authorities are prioritizing high-traffic neighborhoods and places with entrenched criminal networks. The urgency of the effort was underscored when, just hours after Trump’s announcement, a man was shot and killed in Logan Circle — less than a mile from the White House — marking the city’s 100th homicide of 2025.
White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers credited Trump’s “bold leadership” with making the capital safer in a matter of days, while the press secretary reported that 850 officers and agents were deployed on Monday night alone, resulting in 23 arrests tied to violent crime. Trump invoked Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to take control of the city’s police for up to 30 days, with the possibility of an extension if Congress — now under Republican control — approves.
Administration officials say this is just the opening phase of a long-term law-and-order campaign in the capital, signaling that the aggressive use of federal authority will continue until Washington, D.C., sees a substantial reduction in violent crime.
