The Playbook Podcast August 11, 2025: Trump sets his sights on D.C.
Aug 11, 2025
Mike DeBonis, POLITICO's senior Congress editor, joins to discuss Trump's plans to deploy federal forces in Washington, D.C., amid claims of rising crime. They unpack the surprising statistics showing a decline in violent crime and question the motivations behind Trump's push for federal oversight. The conversation dives into presidential powers, local governance challenges, and the GOP's stance on urban issues, revealing the complexities of modern political strategies and their implications for the capital's self-governance.
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Federal Forces To Patrol D.C.
- President Trump is expected to deploy federal forces to patrol D.C. and to "immediately clear out" the city's homeless population.
- Mike DeBonis notes violent crime has dropped substantially over the past two years, undercutting the administration's justification.
President's Existing Federal Levers
- Mike DeBonis explains the president retains control of federal law enforcement and can order agencies like the FBI, Park Police, and Secret Service into the city.
- He also highlights the president's ability to deploy the D.C. National Guard without mayoral approval, giving significant federal levers.
Federalizing MPD Is A Rare Option
- The Home Rule Act permits the president to federalize the Metropolitan Police Department for 48-hour increments, a provision never used.
- Mike DeBonis says that clause was written for riot-style emergencies of the 1960s, not the current situation.