Trump warned ending ICE cooperation could spike crime, pledging full support to residents and local businesses
Washington DC
US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to declare a national emergency in Washington DC if local authorities stop cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. The warning came after Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that the Metropolitan Police Department would end collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In a fiery post on Truth Social, Trump claimed federal action had transformed the city. “DC has gone from one of the most dangerous and murder-ridden cities to one of the safest, in just weeks,” he wrote. He accused Bowser of bowing to “Radical Left Democrats” and risking the city’s progress.
Trump warned that ending cooperation with ICE could undo gains. “If I allowed this to happen, crime would come roaring back,” he said, pledging full support to residents and businesses. He added that he was prepared to escalate federal control: “I’ll call a National Emergency, and Federalize, if necessary.”
The President’s remarks come as crime and immigration remain central political issues. He assured citizens, “DON’T WORRY, I AM WITH YOU.”
Mayor Bowser previously credited Trump’s federal law enforcement expansion for helping reduce crime but signed an order directing local agencies to coordinate differently with federal authorities.
Unlike states, where governors command the National Guard unless federalized, Washington DC’s National Guard already reports directly to the President, giving Trump immediate authority if he decides to act.
The standoff highlights ongoing tensions between the White House and local DC leadership. Trump’s threat of federalization underscores the unusual governance structure of the nation’s capital, where presidential powers are broader than in states.
