Aug 12, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Scenes from Trump's takeover of D.C.

Rebecca Falconer

Two DEA agents in black tactical gear stand near the Washington Monument at dusk, with an American flag circle in the background under a clear blue sky. — U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents patrol near the Washington Monument on the National Mall in D.C. on Aug. 11. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images

Editor's note: Read the latest on Trump's D.C. crime crackdown here.

D.C. is seeing an increased federal law enforcement presence after President Trump declared a "crime emergency" in the U.S. capital on Monday.

The big picture: Trump's move to federalize the D.C. police force, announce the deployment of 800 National Guard troops and send in federal agencies drew protests in D.C., with many pointing out the city has seen a drop in violent crime.

White U.S. Border Patrol truck with red and blue lights on, parked on a street at night near a crosswalk and traffic lights in an urban area. — U.S. Border Patrol units are stationed along Benning Road NE on Aug. 11 in D.C. Trump said he's declaring a "public safety emergency" that will see some 500 federal law enforcement officers from multiple agencies in D.C. Photo: Andrew Leyden/Getty Images

Police and DFS officers stand near a white SUV with flashing lights on a street lined with parked cars and trees during dusk, investigating an incident with scattered debris on the road. — Metropolitan Police Department officers investigate a shooting on Aug. 11 during Trump's federal takeover. Attorney General Pam Bondi is now in charge of the MPD. Photo: Andrew Leyden/Getty Images

A large group of police officers in uniform gathered closely in a parking lot with many cars around, green trees and a building in the background during daylight. — Federal law enforcement officers gather at the U.S. Park Police office on Aug. 11 in D.C. A White House official told Axios the intervention is expected to last 30 days, "but consistent with the Task Force's operations, that is subject to change." Photo: Andrew Leyden/Getty Images

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in tan uniforms stand near white marked SUVs in a grassy area with trees in the background during daylight. — Federal law enforcement officers at the U.S. Park Police office in D.C. on Aug. 11. Trump is the first president to use the D.C. Home Rule Act for a temporary law enforcement takeover. Photo: Andrew Leyden/Getty Images

Five US Park Police officers in black uniforms standing on a city street near a flipped dark vehicle and a blue car, with trees and traffic in the background. — Members of the U.S. Secret Service and the U.S. Park Police patrol by the scene of an overturned vehicle near the National Mall in D.C. on Aug. 11. The crime crackdown involves officials from over 15 agencies. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Two ATF police officers in black tactical vests stand near black SUVs with open doors and trunk, one officer holding the trunk open in an outdoor, grassy area with blurred trees and fence background. — Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) members at the U.S. Park Police office on Aug. 11. The crackdown comes as a federal judge in California hears arguments on whether Trump officials broke the law with the deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles this summer. Photo: Andrew Leyden/Getty Images

White FBI Police SUV with badge and number 149 at an urban intersection with traffic lights, tall buildings, pedestrians crossing, and a partly cloudy blue sky. — An FBI police vehicle in D.C. on Aug. 11. The FBI's Washington Field Office confirmed a day earlier ahead of Trump's announcement that its agents "are participating in the increased federal law enforcement presence" in the city. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Crowd of people with signs including "FREE DC release the Epstein Files" and "TRUMP MUST GO NOW!" near the White House, with a police car in the foreground and a one way sign. — A D.C. Metropolitan Police Department car is parked near a protest rally against the Trump administration's federal takeover of the District of Columbia on Aug. 11. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Two tents set on a brick pavement in an urban area; one tent is green, the other is decorated with colorful paint and features signs saying "Jesus CHRIST is The Big Boss" and biblical references. — Tents at the Washington Circle in D.C. on Aug. 11 amid Trump's renewed focus on unhoused people that saw him say a day earlier that homeless individuals should "move out" of the city "IMMEDIATELY." Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Crowd of protesters in Washington D.C. holding signs including one saying "Hands Off DC!" under a sunny sky with the Washington Monument in the background. — People participate in a Trump protest outside the AFL-CIO on Aug. 11. "This is a dangerous escalation for our communities," the Free DC protest group said on Bluesky. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Protesters in a city hold signs, including a large cardboard one in the foreground reading "NO NATIONAL GUARD" in blue letters. Other signs say "TRUMP MUST GO NOW!" — Signs from the rally outside the AFL-CIO on Aug. 11. While Democratic lawmakers from D.C. have denounced Trump's actions, Axios' Anna Spiegel notes the city's mayor, Muriel Bowser, is opting for diplomacy and cooperation over heated confrontation. Photo: Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Go deeper: These are the cities Trump targeted next after federalizing D.C. police

Add Axios on Google

Scenes from Trump's takeover of D.C.

What to read next