President Donald Trump’s federalization of law enforcement in Washington, D.C. hasn’t been met with support by all, but it has gotten the backing of law enforcement.
Trump announced earlier this week that Attorney General Pam Bondi would be given jurisdiction over the police in the D.C. metropolitan area, much to the chagrin of those on the left, as WJLA reported.
However, the D.C. Police Union came out to support the move, seeming to indicate that those who know law enforcement best, believe this was a good decision.
According to sources from inside the D.C. government, Trump met with Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) police officers before the takeover.
The inside sources at MPD believe this is a positive thing for the crime-ridden national capital because it will ultimately allow for more officers to patrol the district.
Some officers said they believe they need help, regardless of data released from both sides of the political spectrum, which many believe to be partisan.
The D.C. Police Union official said that the MPD began 2025 with a staff of less than 3,200 officers, making it the lowest census in 50 years.
Those staffing shortages have caused the officers who are on duty to work excessive overtime, with nearly 2 million hours of overtime logged last year.
“We stand with the President in recognizing that Washington, D.C., cannot continue on this trajectory,” union Chair Gregg Pemberton said in a statement about the temporary takeover. “Crime is out of control, and our officers are stretched beyond their limits.”
“The federal intervention is a critical stopgap, but the MPD needs proper staffing and support to thrive,” he added.
Pemberton voiced concern about D.C. City Council members driving away “our best officers and hinder(ing) recruitment” following the passage of the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Act of 2020.
BOOM 💥
Judge Jeannine charged this guy who threw a foot long Subway sandwich at federal officers with assault on a Police Officer, "we're gonna back the Police to the hilt., stick your Subway sandwich somewhere else"
Hit that like button if you appreciate our US Atty in DC pic.twitter.com/7X5n9xsdK6
— @Chicago1Ray 🇺🇸 (@Chicago1Ray) August 13, 2025
Recent estimates indicate that the MPD force could be as many as 500 officers short of their allotted staffing levels, causing a crisis in officer depletion.
However, critics of Trump’s decision have pointed to crime rates, saying that the president’s decision could cause more problems in the future.
