Overview

• The administration began sending about 800 National Guard reservists to federal sites in Washington this week under a presidential public safety order.
• Humvees and unarmed reservists have been positioned on the National Mall and other landmarks in the capital’s first visible federalized Guard operation.
• White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said overnight operations resulted in 23 arrests and the seizure of six illegally held weapons.
• Mayor Muriel Bowser and Justice Department data highlight a historic low in violent crime for Washington in 2024, disputing the administration’s emergency claims.
• Trump indicated similar federal interventions could extend to major Democratic-led cities such as Chicago and New York, prompting constitutional and political challenges.