A video recently surfaced showcasing protesters in Washington, D.C., urging police officers to “get off our streets” as law enforcement established a checkpoint in a well-known nightlife area of the nation’s capital.

The tense situation unfolded late Wednesday night along 14th Street Northwest following President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a federal intervention to address crime in Washington, D.C. by taking control of the city’s police force.

One protester was captured on video questioning officers with intensity, asking, “Why are you here? Are you trying to arrest innocent people? What’s your purpose? What’s your goal? What’s the motive? Why won’t you show your face? When you look in the mirror, do you think, ‘I did a good job today?’”

Others were heard urging drivers to “turn left” to avoid the checkpoint.  

A person is seen being stopped at a checkpoint along 14th Street in northwest Washington, on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP/Alex Brandon)

In other parts of the city, the Associated Press reported sightings of Drug Enforcement Administration officers on the National Mall, with National Guard members positioned close by.

DEA agents paired with Metropolitan Police Department officers for patrols in the Navy Yard area, while FBI agents were stationed on the busy Massachusetts Avenue.

On Tuesday night, hundreds of federal and city law enforcement officers patrolled the streets, resulting in 43 arrests. This was a notable increase compared to around two dozen arrests made the previous night.

D.C. residents are seen yelling at law enforcement members who were standing at the police checkpoint on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP/Jose Luis Magana)

Trump announced Monday that he was federalizing the local police department under section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, which allows the president to assume emergency control of the capital’s police force for 30 days.