() More than 450 people have been arrested since the Trump administration’s federal takeover in Washington, D.C., began last week, a White House official confirmed to on Tuesday.
As of Aug. 7, three of the arrests involved alleged gang members, and a total of 68 firearms have been seized, the official said.
On Monday night alone, 52 arrests were reported, including an alleged MS-13 gang member with previous convictions for DWI and drug possession, according to the White House official. Nine illegal firearms were also reportedly seized.
Other charges issued Monday include:
- Assault with a deadly weapon
- Federal parole violation
- Murder
- Outstanding warrant for attempted murder
- Assault on a federal law enforcement officer
- Felony assault
- Carrying a pistol without a license
National Guard presence increases in DC
The Army said the National Guard was not making any arrests at this time and would only carry weapons if necessary.
D.C.’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb pushed back against troops carrying weapons, writing on social media, “Armed soldiers should not be policing American citizens on American soil. It undermines public safety and endangers our democracy.”
Nearly half of arrests not relating to immigration occurred in high-crime areas, the official said, countering reports suggesting the operation was not focused on such neighborhoods.
Monday’s operations involved more than 1,970 law enforcement participants, the White House official said.
The number of National Guard troops deployed to the nation’s capital is set to double as Republican governors in six states are sending more than 1,100 additional troops as part of Trump’s crime crackdown.
Governors from Mississippi, Tennessee and Louisiana said they were responding to requests from the Trump administration to join the operation. It was not immediately clear why the administration requested additional military support. About 800 troops have already been called up from the Washington, D.C., guard and have had a limited assigned role so far in Trump’s 10-day-old attempted takeover of D.C. law enforcement.
DC police union claims sudden drop in crime
With the 30-day clock ticking on this federal takeover, the D.C. Police Union claims the crackdown has led to an overall 8% decline in crime since the National Guard was deployed.
The union also said robbery is down 46%, carjackings dropped 83%, and violent crime decreased 22%.
Homeless encampments
Four homeless encampments were cleared Monday. So far, 48 homeless encampments have been removed by law enforcement, and the district’s local police department is coordinating further efforts with city officials, the official said.
