D.C. mayor: "Masked ICE agents" and out-of-town National Guard are ineffective
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Mayor Bowser earlier this month, speaking about the federal police takeover. Photo: JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday said "masked ICE agents" have "not worked" and called National Guard troops sent from other states inefficient under President Trump's federal takeover.
The big picture: Despite the critique, Bowser's 20-day review of the crackdown was overwhelmingly positive — a significant tone shift for the mayor, who suggested she and Trump are on the same page when it comes to "priorities around safety and investment in infrastructure."
Driving the news: Bowser pledged support for Trump's $2 billion request to Congress to "beautify" D.C. parks, fountains, streets and more.
- She also praised what she calls the "federal surge" for reducing crime in D.C. Bowser said having more federal law enforcement on city streets has helped tamp down on illegal guns, carjackings, and homicides.
- "We think that there's more accountability in the system, or at least perceived accountability in the system, that is driving down illegal behavior," Bowser said at the Wednesday press conference.
By the numbers: There's been an 87% drop in D.C. carjackings over the 20-day period compared to the same time last year, per the mayor.
- D.C.'s data also shows a 15% decline in overall crime from the same period in 2024.
Yes, but: While the mayor painted a Trumpian gold lining on much of the enforcement, she specifically targeted masked ICE agents and out-of-town National Guards members as examples of "what's not working."
- She also called out "a break in trust between police and community," as federal officers team up with D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
What they're saying: "I am devastated by people living in fear," Bowser said, acknowledging that "there's tremendous anxiety in the District."
Between the lines: D.C.'s sanctuary city status has come under question, amid a spike in noncriminal ICE arrests and MPD's cooperation with immigration authorities.
- Bowser clarified: "There's been no change to the law," nor "sanctuary values."
Bowser also noted D.C.'s small but "highly visible" homeless encampment population, which has been targeted in clearings under the federal takeover.
- She plans to take a census later this week to quantify and locate homeless individuals, and connect people to shelters and services.
Zoom out: Bowser, who had previously called federalizing D.C.'s police force an "authoritarian push," was notably deferential toward Trump days after he issued a warning shot from the Oval Office:
- "Mayor Bowser better get her act straight or she won't be mayor very long because we'll take it over with the federal government, run it like it's supposed to be run," the president said Friday.
- Bowser held Wednesday's press conference after speaking with Trump, a meeting she compared to one during his first days in office, "where we discussed shared priorities for the District."
- Bowser noted that Trump's "knowledge of D.C. had significantly increased from the first time he was in the White House."
What we're watching: Bowser highlighted more long-term solutions for effective local control: more MPD, prosecutors, judges, and effective prevention programs.
- A big priority: recruiting 500 new MPD officers over the next few years.
The bottom line: What the Trump administration calls a takeover, Bowser is framing as an investment in D.C.'s future.
- Take Union Station. On Wednesday, the Department of Transportation took control of its management.
- Bowser said a "total transformation" of the station would be an "amazing initiative," and told Trump it could be "a very significant and good investment for this region."
Go deeper: Trump administration to take over D.C.'s Union Station
