Trump Threatens to Federalize D.C. Police Over Immigration Disputes

Mon Sep 15 2025 23:04:28 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In response to Mayor Muriel Bowser's refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, President Trump has threatened to once again federalize Washington D.C.'s police force, following the expiration of his previous emergency order.

President Trump warned on Monday that he could call a National Emergency and federalize Washington D.C.'s police if cooperation between local authorities and federal immigration enforcement ceased. This threat follows Mayor Bowser's refusal to work with ICE, despite claims that crime has been declining prior to Trump's intervention.

WASHINGTON (RTW News) — President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to intervene again in Washington, D.C.’s policing system due to Mayor Muriel Bowser's refusal to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement agencies. Trump suggested that he might federalize the police force in response to this non-cooperation.

The state of emergency order that previously gave the federal government control over local law enforcement expired last week. Before its expiration, Mayor Bowser clarified her administration's ongoing refusal to work with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in the city. Despite her promise to collaborate with other federal agencies, ICE was not listed among those she intends to work with.

Trump claimed that his previous intervention had a positive impact on crime rates in D.C. Although Bowser agreed that crime is declining, data indicates that crime rates were already falling prior to the surge in federal law enforcement presence.

In a social media post early Monday, Trump warned that crime could spike if local police stopped cooperating with immigration law enforcement. He further stated he would call a National Emergency, and Federalize, if necessary!!! in such an event.

While Bowser’s office has declined to comment on the situation, the White House has not clarified whether Trump plans to follow up on his threats or extend his previous orders that were not renewed by Congress and expired on September 11.

Bowser previously issued an order on September 2, outlining how local police would work with federal law enforcement, including agencies like the FBI, but explicitly excluded ICE. She has maintained that immigration enforcement is not part of the local police’s responsibilities.

Data analyzed during the emergency period indicated that over 40% of arrests were related to immigration issues, showing that the Trump administration kept its firm stance on immigration while attempting to address crime in the capital.

Trump's threat came on the same day as the House Committee on Rules was reviewing various bills that affect D.C., including proposals to reduce the age for trying juveniles for serious crimes from 16 to 14, as well as new restrictions on the district’s powers regarding sentencing and judicial selections.

Despite the district's home rule agreement from 1973, which grants limited self-governance, federal leaders still exert significant control over local affairs, including budget approvals and legislation passed by the D.C. council.