Protesters face federal officials as Trump tightens DC policing | Washington, D.C.

Protesters mocked federal law enforcement officers who reportedly stopped dozens of cars at checkpoints along busy streets Washington, DC Wednesday nightafter stressing tensions Donald Trump It was announced that he was taking control of the city’s police department and deploying the National Guard in the city.

There are about 20 law enforcement officers, some of which appear to be from the Department of Homeland Security, who evacuated drivers from violations such as broken taillights and no seat belts, According to the Washington Post. At least 100 protesters were reportedly gathered, and at least one woman was reportedly arrested, reportedly shouting “Leave our streets”, According to NBC News. Some protesters reportedly began warning drivers to avoid the area.

Nearly 800 National Guards have begun to arrive in the city this week. The White House said officials have arrested more than 100 times since Trump announced the acquisition on Monday. The Metropolitan Police Department said it arrested 74 people on Wednesday and 217 people since Monday.

DC’s 1973 Domestic Rule Act Allow the president to control the “federal purpose” that the president “may consider necessary and appropriate” for 30 days. Trump suggests he will seek to expand the past 30 days. This requires Congress to authorize.

U.S. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that his party would not support Trump’s efforts to expand the takeover. “No fucking way”, Schumer said In a podcast interview with Aaron Parnas. “We’re going to hit him on his teeth and nails.”

If Congress does not approve the extension, Trump advised him on Wednesday to announce an emergency unilaterally expand the acquisition.

“If this is a national emergency, we can do it without Congress, but we hope to be in Congress soon,” Trump said.

Trump portrays the U.S. Congressional metropolis as a crime metropolis. After soaring in 2023, violent crime hit a 30-year low in 2024.

“We don’t live in a dirty city.” Washington, DC Democratic mayor Muriel Bowser told community groups on Tuesday. “We are not 700,000 mean fools and punks. We don’t have a community that should be marketed. We have to be clear about our story.”

Phil Mendelson, a Democrat who chairs the Washington, D.C. City Council, told The Post that despite Trump’s politicization of the docking, the relationship between law enforcement agencies is actually cooperative.

“I think working with the MPD and providing additional resources can only be for goodness,” he said. “But the president has a national platform where he portrays the city as a sludge for crime. We know that’s not true, but it’s doing damage to the city.”