Attorney General confirms arrests, including alleged gang members, as governors from six states send additional National Guard troops to the capital.
More than 450 people have been arrested since the Trump administration’s federal takeover of law enforcement in Washington, D.C., began last week, US Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday on X. The operation, aimed at curbing crime in the nation’s capital, has also resulted in the seizure of 68 firearms.
Three of the arrests as of August 7 involved alleged gang members. A particularly active night on Monday saw 52 arrests, including an alleged MS-13 gang member with previous convictions. Nine illegal firearms were also reportedly seized that night alone.
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Other charges issued Monday include murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and felony assault.
The increased law enforcement presence is set to grow further as governors from six states—including Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana—are sending more than 1,100 additional National Guard troops to support the crackdown.
This move will double the number of National Guard troops already deployed, with about 800 already called up from the Washington, D.C., guard. The Army has stated that the National Guard is not making arrests and will only carry weapons if necessary, a point of contention for D.C.’s Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who wrote on social media, “Armed soldiers should not be policing American citizens on American soil.”
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Bondi pushed back on reports that the operation was not focused on high-crime areas, stating that nearly half of the arrests not related to immigration occurred in such neighborhoods. Monday’s operations involved more than 1,970 law enforcement participants.
Amid the federal crackdown, the D.C. Police Union claims that crime has seen a significant drop. The union reports an overall 8% decline in crime since the National Guard was deployed. Specific reductions cited include a 46% decrease in robbery, an 83% drop in carjackings, and a 22% reduction in violent crime.
In addition to the crime-fighting efforts, the operation has also focused on clearing homeless encampments. Four were removed on Monday, bringing the total to 48 so far. Bondi noted that the district’s local police department is coordinating further efforts with city officials.
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