The Democratic Mayors Association slammed President Trump’s announcement to federalize the police force of Washington, D.C., on Monday, calling it a "political charade."
“Let's be clear: Crime is down in most major cities — including Washington, DC — in spite of Donald Trump, not because of him. If Trump actually cared about reducing crime, he wouldn't have made unprecedented cuts to public safety programs that actually work. If Trump actually cared about our communities, he would be working with our cities, not against them,” the Democratic Mayors Association said in a statement.
“But the truth is Trump doesn't care — he only wants to create yet another political charade to serve his own interests and distract Americans from his failures. While Trump may try to vilify Mayors and take credit for their work, Democratic Mayors will never stop fighting to protect and strengthen our communities because that's what they do — they get things done,” the statement continued.
Other Democrats were also quick to criticize the president's actions, calling it a distraction.
“Donald Trump’s economy is failing, his Epstein files cover-up won’t go away, and public support for his agenda is way down. So it’s no surprise that he is trying to distract the American public," said Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Trump has "zero credibility" on crime.
The statement came after Trump announced on Monday that in addition to taking federal control of the city’s police department, he would deploy the National Guard in an effort to take on crime in the city. The president also announced that he was declaring a public safety emergency in the District.
“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people, and we’re not going to let it happen anymore. We’re not going to take it,” Trump said from the White House press briefing room.
Under the Home Rule Act, Trump can temporarily take control of the District’s police department if he determines “special conditions of an emergency nature exist."
It is unclear if the administration worked with D.C. officials ahead of the announcement. A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) office declined to comment just before Trump began speaking.
D.C. Council member Charles Allen (D) pushed back on Trump's announcement, calling it "dangerous” and “extreme.”
"The President taking over local control of MPD & putting the US military onto the streets of DC under the guise of public safety is wrong," Allen said in a post on the social platform X. "It’s an extreme, outrageous, and dangerous move for our city and the safety of all our residents. "
Source: The Hill - News
