Over 1,300 arrested in Washington DC since Trump’s federal crackdown

Another 86 arrests made-including a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member and 5 illegal firearms seized.

Thanks to @POTUS and incredible DC and Federal law enforcement partners, our mission to make DC safe again is working and remains ongoing. pic.twitter.com/qJeFBrtC4M

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 29, 2025

Crime down in Washington

President Trump also touted the success of his federal takeover of DC, saying crimes have come down in the US capital.

“Carjacking in DC is down 87%. ALL other categories of crime are likewise down massively since I got involved. DC will soon be a CRIME-FREE ZONE, in only 14 days, far faster than scheduled. Thank you for your attention to this matter,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Federal takeover of DC

Earlier this month, Trump had expanded the presence of federal law enforcement and immigration agents across Washington, DC, to reduce crime. He also took control of the Metropolitan Police Department and activated thousands of National Guard troops. After declaring a public safety emergency, his administration also removed homeless encampments from the US capital.

National Guard troops patrol the Mall during the morning commute as part of President Donald Trump’s order to impose federal law enforcement in the nation’s capital, in Washington, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Chicago could be next

After Washington, Trump seems to have turned his attention to another Democrat stronghold – Chicago, where he has threatened a similar National Guard deployment to fight crime.

The Associated Press, citing a US official, reported that the operation in the country’s third-largest city is expected to last about 30 days and could start as early as September 5.

Chicago is home to a large immigrant population, and both the city and the state of Illinois have some of the country’s strongest rules against cooperating with federal government immigration enforcement efforts. That has often put the city and the state at odds with Trump’s administration as it tries to carry out his mass deportation agenda.

The Trump administration asked the military this week for use of the Naval Station Great Lakes, north of Chicago, to support immigration enforcement.US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection and other federal agencies would take part in the planned Chicago operation, according to the federal officials who spoke to The Associated Press.

Another official who also spoke on the condition of anonymity told The Associated Press that the timing for what could be a sustained immigration enforcement effort resembling this summer’s operations in Los Angeles is awaiting final approval.