FBI Director Kash Patel supports Trump’s plan for federal DC police

FBI Director Kash Patel endorses President Donald Trump’s plan Metropolitan Police Department To address crimes in Washington, D.C., amid harsh criticism from Democrats and local officials, they say the move is part of the power grab.

Patel was seen in a command post on the first night of the temporary acquisition Monday afternoon in support of law enforcement.

“Proudly stand up with the men and women who keep our nation’s capital safe,” Patel said in an exclusive statement to Fox News Digital. “When you make good police officers a policeman, give them the tools they need and support them in every step of the way, they deliver every time.”

In the photos provided specifically to Fox News Digital, Patel can be seen wearing protective vests at the command center of the U.S. Park Police Department on Monday with FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

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Trump said on Monday that he placed the federal government under the authorization of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to resolve the crime. He also said he is launching about 800 National Guards to “rebuild law, order and public safety” in the capital.

Washington, DC.

“While this action today is disturbing and unprecedented, I cannot say we are totally surprised considering some of the remarks in the past,” Bowser said in a press conference. “I can say to DC residents that we will continue to operate our government in ways that make you proud.”

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The District of Columbia Sovereignty Act allows Trump to place the city’s police department under federal control for up to 30 days. Ball noted that issues that local officials have repeatedly advocated were granted to the District of Columbia countries, which could have prevented the acquisition.

“If people are worried that the president will be able to move the National Guard to our city, it is in the case of a bill that will allow it to control the DC National Guard to DC,” she said. “So some things are, when a city is not a state, not completely autonomous, and without senators, the federal government can do it.”

FBI Director Kash Patel joined FBI Patel in Washington, D.C. when the Trump administration was preparing to take over DC police. (Pretty: FBI, specially provided to Fox News Digital)

Other Democrats Severely criticize the Trump administration’s move.

“If President Trump wants to help make Chicago safer, he can first release funds from the anti-violence program, which is crucial to our work, and that is crucial to our work,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office. “Sending the National Guard will only destroy our city and undermine our public safety efforts.”

The Washington, D.C. City Council called the temporary acquisition a “manufactured intrusion into local authorities.”

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President Donald Trump speaks to reporters in the James Brady press briefing room in Washington on Monday, August 11, 2025, from left to Home Secretary Doug Burgum, Secretary of Defense Peter Hugum, Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Cash Patel (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“Violent crime The price in the area is the lowest in our 30 years. “The federal government has no federal emergency because there is no federal emergency. In addition, the National Guard has no public safety training or knowledge of local laws. The role of the guard does not include investigating or resolving crimes in the area. Calling the National Guard is unnecessary to deploy and there is no real mission.”

A delegation of state-owned capital regions, composed of several House Democratic legislators, accused Trump of inciting crimes in the capital, referring to the riot at the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021.

FBI Director Kash Patel talks with FBI agents and the Trump administration federal government will the Metropolitan Police Department federal government. (Pretty: FBI, specially provided to Fox News Digital)

“Trump’s ‘temporary’ takeover of the Metropolitan Police is not intended to prevent crime, it is a softening of authoritarianism,” the group said in a statement. “Trump has a long-standing pattern of seeking a gorgeous display of power. As he repeatedly demonstrates, Trump is working to serve himself and does not care about keeping American families safe in cities and towns in our country.”

“This morning’s presidential announcement was an unwelcome and unacceptable publicity stunt,” they added. “If he wants to reduce crime in the District of Columbia, he should focus on getting Republican allies In Congress, resuming their arbitrary withdrawal of the city’s budget could cut law enforcement and other public safety measures. ”

FBI Patel’s FBI agent in Washington, D.C., was outside the Park Police Department on August 11, when the Trump administration commands the new crackdown on crimes committed by the national capital. (Pretty: FBI, specially provided to Fox News Digital)

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Randi Weingarten, President American Teachers Federation The league called Trump’s announcement “the seriousness of disconnection from the actual local conditions.”

“So we have to ask: Will the president’s behavior of force make ordinary DC residents feel safer? Will it create jobs for workers and bring customers back to downtown businesses?” she said. “Will it provide young people with a way to get jobs, skills or other activities to get them out of the streets?”

FBI Director Kash Patel met with the agent before DC police took over. (Pretty: FBI, specially provided to Fox News Digital)

She added: “The answer to these questions is ‘no.

Trump’s opponents list crime statistics that show crime is falling in Washington. According to MPD, the crime rate in Washington has dropped by 26% compared to the same timeline in 2024. Attacks with dangerous weapons fell by 20%, and homicides fell by 12%, according to police data. In January, the Ministry of Justice said Violent crime In 2024, the region fell 35% from 2023, the lowest point in more than 30 years.

However, Trump disagrees.

Met Police Department data shows that while the homicide rate has dropped, murders have been the most since 2008 in the last five years.

“The murder rate in Washington is higher today than in Bogota, Colombia, Mexico City, and that’s some of the places you hear, it’s the worst place on the planet, and even higher,” Trump said on Monday. “It’s much higher. In the past five years, the number of car thefts has doubled, while the number of carjacking has more than tripled. The murder rate in murders has reached its highest rate, which may be the highest ever. They say 25 years, but they don’t know what that means because it’s just a 25-year gap.”

Andrew Mark Miller of Fox News Digital contributed to the report.