The administration announced a sweeping public-safety initiative in Washington, D.C., including federal control over local policing coordination and mobilization of the D.C. National Guard. Officials say the move targets violent crime and disorder; D.C. leaders called it unlawful and unnecessary, noting long-term crime trends. The Justice Department and federal agencies pledged joint task forces and expanded prosecutions. Civil liberties groups and several lawmakers raised concerns about militarization and precedent for federal intervention in local policing. Legal challenges are expected to test statutory limits and the District’s home rule.
