Overview

• President Donald Trump signed the 'Make Our Nation’s Capital Safe' executive order, launching a federal initiative to address crime and urban challenges in Washington, D.C.
• The order creates the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force to increase law enforcement presence and enforce quality-of-life laws, such as cracking down on public drug use and vandalism.
• Measures include strengthening pretrial detention policies, expediting concealed carry licenses for law-abiding citizens, and supporting D.C.'s forensic crime lab accreditation.
• The National Park Service is tasked with clearing homeless encampments and graffiti from federal lands as part of a broader beautification effort.
• The administration cites a rise in violent and property crimes in 2023 as justification, despite reported decreases in crime rates in 2024.