On August 10, the Trump administration deployed about 120 FBI agents to patrol the capital Washington, D.C. overnight to assist the city's police in handling car robberies and violent crimes. The force was mobilized from anti-corruption and anti-corruption units, along with several officers from Philadelphia.
The agents, who were mainly responsible for investigating and handling federal crimes, now temporarily put aside their daily work to coordinate with the capital police and other federal enforcement forces. The FBI confirmed that agents under the Washington D.C Office are increasing their presence in the capital, but did not disclose specific numbers.
In parallel with the FBI, the US Secret Service (USSS) also received orders to conduct special patrols. A senior USSS official said the Trump administration did not consult the Washington, D.C., Department of Police on how to use federal resources effectively.
The move comes as Trump has repeatedly threatened to take self-respect from Washington, D.C. under the 1973, Self-Government Act, putting the capital under the direct control of the federal government. He called the current mechanism "a trap full of criminals".
In contrast to criticism from the president, the data shows that crime in Washington D.C since the beginning of 2025 has decreased by 26% compared to the same period in 2024, in which the number of murders decreased by 12%.
Trump plans to hold a press conference to announce new plans for the capital, and compare the anti-crime campaign with border tightening.
