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Trump's D.C. takeover could be a trap (and opportunity) for Democrats
MSNBC· 2025-08-14 12:21
But we want to get to the other big story out of our nation's capital. We are less than one week into President Trump's 30-day takeover of the Washington DC police. And President Trump is already saying he intends to extend federal control of the force. We're going to be asking for extensions on that, long-term extensions, because you can't have 30 days. 30 days is that's by the time you do it. Uh we're going to have this in good shape. We're going to do this very quickly, but we're going to want extensions ...
'The excuse for doing this is so paper thin': Trump sends National Guard to DC
MSNBC· 2025-08-11 21:21
Political Commentary & Power Dynamics - The report suggests that Donald Trump's actions regarding Washington DC are motivated by a desire for control rather than genuine concern for safety [3][4] - Concerns are raised about the potential misuse of federal law enforcement and the military, drawing parallels to historical authoritarian tactics [6][7] - The analysis highlights the worry that Trump might leverage his control over various levers of power, including the military, to cling to power [7][8] Crime & Safety in DC - The report mentions that violent crime occurred in DC [1] - The report claims that DC is experiencing a 30-year crime low [2] - Trump's claim to assert federal control over DC's police department is viewed with skepticism and labeled as potentially authoritarian [2] Potential Motives & Distractions - Some sources suggest Trump's actions could be performative or a distraction, possibly related to the Epstein case [5] - The report implies that Trump's focus on DC might be a way to divert attention from other issues [5][8]
Trump puts D.C. police under federal control, deploys National Guard
MSNBC· 2025-08-11 20:24
Government Intervention & Legal Authority - The President is deploying federal agents (initially 450 from DHS, Secret Service, FBI) and calling in approximately 800 National Guard troops to DC [3] - The President's authority to use the DC Metropolitan Police for federal purposes is limited to a maximum of 30 days unless Congress extends that authorization [22] - The activation of the DC National Guard involves about 800 members, with 100-200 potentially on the streets at any given time in a rotation [12][13] - The DC National Guard will be under Title 32 status, meaning they are paid by the federal government but on state active duty, allowing them to engage in law enforcement activities [13][14] Crime Statistics & Justification - The President is acting based on personal observations and anecdotal evidence, despite data suggesting DC crime is at a 30-year low (as of earlier this year, Department of Justice conclusion) [5][7] - The administration aims to have this operation running for at least 7 days, with expectations of extending it closer to 30 days, pending potential congressional approval for continuation [8] - The Mayor of DC indicates that crime statistics do not support the idea of a massive crime wave [19] Social Issues & Policy - The President is also addressing homelessness in DC, suggesting those unhoused should move away from the capitol, with unclear federal government assistance [9][10] Historical Context & Political Implications - The President's current actions are contrasted with the delayed response in calling in the National Guard during the January 6th, 2021 Capitol assault [18] - DC faces ongoing tension regarding its budget and operational authorization from Congress, fueling a movement for greater independence and home rule [25] - DC's potential statehood is hindered by concerns that it would predominantly elect Democratic representatives to Congress [27]
X @The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal· 2025-08-11 17:49
Government Action - The U.S federal government plans to deploy National Guard troops to Washington, D.C[1] - The U.S federal government intends to place the city's police department under federal control [1]