Donald Trump has made another headline-grabbing announcement: he says he will personally join law enforcement and military patrols in Washington, D.C.
In a live interview with conservative radio host Todd Starnes, Trump claimed, “I’m going to be going out tonight, I think, with the police, and with the military, of course.” He didn’t provide details on the nature of these patrols or whether this plan had official approval. A senior White House official later suggested that arrangements were still being finalized.
The announcement quickly set off a storm of reactions online. Supporters framed it as Trump showing “real leadership,” while critics mocked the move as a publicity stunt. Some users on X (formerly Twitter) even pointed out the irony, recalling how Trump had retreated to a secure bunker during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. Others went further, calling the idea of a convicted felon roaming the streets with police not just odd but dangerous.
This latest declaration comes amid Trump’s broader push to portray himself as tough on crime in the capital. Recently, he placed Washington, D.C. police under federal oversight by invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act something he called “Liberation Day.” He also deployed the National Guard earlier this month, arguing it was necessary to restore “law and order.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi has echoed Trump’s line, sharing that over 550 arrests have been made in Washington along with the removal of 76 illegal firearms. She even promoted a $500 reward program for tips that lead to further arrests.
Still, Trump’s dramatic claims have raised eyebrows. In one press conference, he suggested that journalists themselves were victims of violent crime in the city, saying, “You don’t want to be mugged and raped and shot and killed. And you all know people… that happened.” Many observers criticized this as exaggeration designed to stoke fear.
The bigger question is whether these theatrics will have any meaningful impact on crime or if they’re just part of a political strategy to showcase strength.
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