WASHINGTON, DC – As President Donald Trump’s unprecedented federal takeover of Washington’s police force enters its first week, forces made dozens of arrests and Congresswoman Maxine Waters has condemned the move as part of a broader “racist agenda.”
Trump’s current control of the D.C. police force expires in 30 days, after which Congress would have to weigh in, though the president has indicated he may seek longer-term federal control of the Metropolitan Police Department.
Waters, who represents California’s 43rd District, released a statement last week criticizing Trump’s invocation of Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973, which allows the president to federalize MPD for up to 30 days during a declared emergency.
“Trump is continuing to advance his racist agenda against Black folks,” Waters said. “He is now using his executive privilege to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC, claiming he’s doing this to reduce crime, even though statistics show crime is at a 30-year low.”
Trump invoked emergency powers Aug. 18 to seize control of the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington, DC, despite crime statistics showing a 30-year low in the nation’s capital.
Crime in D.C. is down 7% so far in 2025 compared to the year before, and down significantly more from a recent peak in 2023, according to city police data. Violent crime, in particular, is down by 26%, raising questions about the declared emergency.
“There IS no emergency!” Waters said. “If it’s not about crime, then what is it about? Trump clearly hates Black people.”
The DC National Guard began appearing in the nation’s capital on Tuesday after President Donald Trump announced a day earlier he is deploying guard troops alongside the federalized police force. The Metropolitan Police along with federal agencies tasked with helping curb crime in the nation’s capital are scrambling to figure out roles and strategy following the unprecedented move.
Waters connected the police takeover to what she sees as broader patterns in Trump’s administration, citing his attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion programs and recent comments blaming the Potomac plane crash on DEI initiatives.
“He has repeatedly targeted Black women, including Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, TheGrio journalist April Ryan, New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Vice President Kamala Harris, and me,” Waters said.
The congresswoman also referenced Trump’s immigration enforcement, noting that while Latin Americans were deported, “59 white South Africans” entered the U.S. “without visas or legal processing.”
“This would be dictator is using confrontational tactics to provoke Blacks, Latinos, and others into a standoff,” Waters said. “He is just itching to invoke Martial Law, and yes, even push for civil war.”
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that the decision is counterproductive, potentially dangerous, and an egregious assault on D.C. home rule, while Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., said he would soon introduce a bill to overturn Trump’s actions.
“The administration’s actions are unprecedented, unnecessary, and unlawful. There is no crime emergency in the District of Columbia. Violent crime in D.C. reached historic 30-year lows last year, and is down another 26% so far this year” according to Democratic critics.
Waters warned residents to remain vigilant as the federalization continues.
“Everyone needs to be aware and not fall victim to his lies, provocations, antics, and tactics,” Waters said. “He’s just damn crazy!”
