Trump's takeover of Washington law enforcement begins as National Guard troops arrive

WASHINGTON (AP) — The new picture of law enforcement in the nation’s capital began taking shape Tuesday as some of the 800 National Guard members deployed by the Trump administration began arriving. The city’s police and federal officials, projecting cooperation, took the first steps in an uneasy partnership to reduce crime in what President Donald Trump called — without substantiation — a lawless city.

The influx came the morning after the Republican president announced he would be activating the guard members and taking over the District's police department, something the law allows him to do temporarily. He cited a crime emergency — but referred to the same crime that city officials stress is already falling noticeably.

By evening, the administration was saying that National Guard members were expected to be on the streets starting Tuesday night, according to a White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The Army said there were no specifics on the locations they will be patrolling, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity for the same reason.

Mayor Muriel Bowser pledged to work alongside the federal officials Trump has tasked with overseeing the city's law enforcement, while insisting the police chief remained in charge of the department and its officers.

“How we got here or what we think about the circumstances — right now we have more police, and we want to make sure we use them,” she told reporters.

The tone was a shift from the day before, when Bowser said Trump's plan to take over the Metropolitan Police Department and call in the National Guard was not a productive step and argued his perceived state of emergency simply doesn’t match the declining crime numbers. Still, the law gives the federal government more sway over the capital city than in U.S. states, and Bowser said her administration's ability to push back is limited.

Attorney General Pam Bondi posted on social media that the meeting was productive.

The law allows Trump to take over the D.C. police for up to 30 days, though White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt suggested it could last longer as authorities later “reevaluate and reassess." Extending federal control past that time would require Congressional approval, something likely tough to achieve in the face of Democratic resistance.

About 850 officers and agents fanned out across Washington on Monday and arrested 23 people overnight, Leavitt said. The charges, she said, included homicide, drunk driving, gun and drug crimes and subway fare evasion. She didn't immediately provide further information on the arrests.

The U.S. Park Police has also removed 70 homeless encampments over the last five months, she said. People who were living in them can leave, go to a homeless shelter or go into drug addiction treatment, Leavitt said. Those who refuse could face fines or jail time.

While Trump invokes his plan by saying that “we're going to take our capital back,” Bowser and the MPD maintain that violent crime overall in Washington has decreased to a 30-year low after a sharp rise in 2023. Carjackings, for example, dropped about 50% in 2024 and are down again this year. More than half of those arrested, however, are juveniles, and the extent of those punishments is a point of contention for the Trump administration.

Resident Jeraod Tyre, who's lived in Washington for 15 years, said he does see crime slowing down. He's wary of the National Guard troops, who don't have the same local knowledge as the city's regular police force. "I feel safe walking through the city each and every day. The police are doing a mighty fine job,” he said.

Bowser, a Democrat, spent much of Trump's first term in office openly sparring with the Republican president. She fended off his initial plans for a military parade through the streets and stood in public opposition when he called in a multi-agency flood of federal law enforcement to confront anti-police brutality protesters in summer 2020. She later had the words “Black Lives Matter” painted in giant yellow letters on the street about a block from the White House.

In Trump's second term, backed by Republican control of both houses of Congress, Bowser has walked a public tightrope for months, emphasizing common ground with the Trump administration on issues such as the successful effort to bring the NFL's Washington Commanders back to the District of Columbia.

She watched with open concern for the city streets as Trump finally got his military parade this summer. Her decision to dismantle Black Lives Matter Plaza earlier this year served as a neat metaphor for just how much the power dynamics between the two executives had evolved.

Now that fraught relationship enters uncharted territory as Trump has followed through on months of what many D.C. officials had quietly hoped were empty threats. The new standoff has cast Bowser in a sympathetic light, even among her longtime critics. “It's a power play and we're an easy target,” said Clinique Chapman, CEO of the D.C. Justice Lab and a frequent Bowser critic.

Bowser contends that all the power resides with Trump and that local officials can do little other than comply and make the best of it. As long as Washington remains a federal enclave with limited autonomy under the 1973 Home Rule Act, she said, it will remain vulnerable to such takeovers.

Trump is the first president to use the law's Section 740 to take over Washington’s police for up to 30 days during times of emergencies.

For Trump, the effort to take over public safety in D.C. reflects an escalation of his aggressive approach to law enforcement. The District of Columbia’s status as a congressionally established federal district gives him a unique opportunity to push his tough-on-crime agenda, though he has not proposed solutions to the root causes of homelessness or crime.

Trump's declaration of a state of emergency fits the general pattern of his second term in office. He has declared states of emergency on issues ranging from border protection to economic tariffs, enabling him to essentially rule via executive order. In many cases, he has moved forward while the courts sorted them out.

Bowser's claims about successfully driving down violent crime rates received backing earlier this year from an unlikely source. Ed Martin, Trump's original choice for U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, issued a press release in April hailing a 25% drop in violent crime rates from the previous year.

Tom Power, resident of the hip Logan Circle neighborhood for over a decade, said he occasionally hears about shootings or car break-ins, but he's never been a victim himself. “I never felt threatened, I’ve never given much thought to it,” he said.

Washington native Sheina Taylor said the troops are putting her on edge. “It’s more fearful now because even though you’re a law abiding citizen, here in D.C., you don’t know, especially because I’m African-American," she said.

Trump's newly confirmed top federal prosecutor for Washington, onetime judge and former Fox News host Jeanine Pirro, argued that violent crime remains high and a significant issue for victims, despite recent decreases. “These were vibrant human beings cut down because of illegal guns,” she said.

Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington, Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix, Ali Swenson in New York and video journalist River Zhang contributed reporting.

In this image provided by the U.S. Army National Guard, Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. James Mingus speaks with soldiers and airmen from the District of Columbia National Guard at the D.C. National Guard Armory in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (Sgt. 1st Class Christy L. Sherman/U.S. Army National Guard via AP)

In this image provided by the U.S. Army National Guard, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll poses with soldiers and airmen from the District of Columbia National Guard at the D.C. National Guard Armory in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (Sgt. 1st Class Christy L. Sherman/U.S. Army National Guard via AP)

In this image provided by the U.S. Army National Guard, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll shakes hands with Air Force Brig. Gen. Matthew McDonough, commander of the 113th wing, left, during a visit with soldiers and airmen from the District of Columbia National Guard at the D.C. National Guard Armory in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (Sgt. 1st Class Christy L. Sherman/U.S. Army National Guard via AP)

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

Troops load boxes of rifle ammunition at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters as President Donald Trump implements his order to use federal law enforcement and the National Guard to expel homeless people and rid the nation's capital of violent crime, in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Troops depart the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters as President Donald Trump implements his order to use federal law enforcement and the National Guard to expel homeless people and rid the nation's capital of violent crime, in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Tents are set up on a sidewalk near George Washington University, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

A member of the District of Columbia National Guard arrives at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks as Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith listens during a news conference on President Donald Trump's plan to place Washington police under federal control and deploy National guard troops to Washington, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

National Guard troops arrive at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

National Guard troops arrive at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

National Guard troops arrive at the District of Columbia National Guard Headquarters, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Federal law enforcement officers patrol The Wharf, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Protesters demonstrate against President Donald Trump's planned use of federal law enforcement and National Guard troops in Washington at a rally in Dupont Circle, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks during a news conference on President Donald Trump's plan to place Washington police under federal control and deploy National guard troops to Washington, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Federal law enforcement officers patrol The Wharf, Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Two of President Donald Trump’s closest confidants, a former British prime minister, an American general and a collection of top officials from Middle Eastern governments are at the forefront of the U.S. Gaza ceasefire plan.

The White House this week announced the members of a new Palestinian committee to run Gaza’s day to day affairs, along with an executive committee of international experts who will supervise these efforts. They include a high-powered group of people with strong connections across the region and varying degrees of leverage of Israel and Hamas.

The entire effort will be overseen by the “Board of Peace” — a collection of world leaders led by Trump whose other members still have not been named.

Still, this week’s appointments mark an important step forward for Trump’s ambitious ceasefire plan. The White House this week said the plan had entered its second phase, which includes the new Palestinian committee in Gaza, deployment of an international security force, disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction of the war-battered territory.

Here’s a closer look at the appointments of the executive committee:

Rubio is the U.S. secretary of state and national security adviser, putting him at the center of American foreign policy.

Witkoff has served as the White House Mideast envoy during Trump’s second term in office. A real estate developer and close friend of Trump, he was a key architect of the ceasefire plan, which took effect on Oct. 10.

Kushner is Trump’s son-in-law who has long been a key foreign policy adviser to Trump. Kushner was a driving force in the Abraham Accords, a series of diplomatic agreements between Israel and Arab countries during Trump’s first term. Kushner has returned to the White House as an important player in pushing forward the new ceasefire.

The British prime minister from 1997 to 2007, Blair has decades of experience in the Middle East. He took the United Kingdom into the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 despite strong public opposition. He later served as Middle East envoy for the “Quartet” of Mideast mediators — the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations. The post began with great promise but struggled to deliver results in its quest to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Jeffers has been appointed commander of the International Stabilization Force, an on-the-ground multinational force meant to enforce and guarantee the ceasefire. Jeffers previously served as head of the U.S. military’s special operations command and oversaw implementation of the 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

Fidan has been the Turkish foreign minister since 2023 and is close to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. While Turkey has a strained relationship with Israel, it has good relations with Hamas and could play an important role in persuading the Islamic group to yield power and disarm.

Ali Al-Thawadi is a diplomat from Qatar, which has been a key mediator between Israel and Hamas throughout the war.

Rashad is the director of Egypt’s intelligence agency. Egypt borders both Israel and Gaza and, like Qatar, has been a key mediator throughout the war.

Al-Hashimy is a Cabinet minister for the United Arab Emirates. The wealthy Gulf country has strong ties with Israel and is expected to play an important role in the reconstruction process of Gaza.

Banga is the president of the World Bank. Born in India, since moving to the U.S. in the early 2000s, Banga has held prestigious positions in the corporate world, including heading Mastercard and serving as director of Exor and Temasek, large holding companies.

Rowan is a co-founder, chief executive and chairman of Apollo Global Management, a U.S. asset-management firm. The billionaire businessman is also a philanthropist who has supported projects in Israel, the U.S. Jewish community and the University of Pennsylvania, where he and Trump both studied.

Kaag, the Netherlands’ former deputy prime minister, has served as the United Nations coordinator for humanitarian aid to Gaza since the war erupted in late 2023.

Gabriel served as a policy adviser on Trump’s first presidential campaign and currently is deputy national security adviser.

Gabay is an Israeli billionaire who is a major shareholder in Aroundtown SA, a global real estate group. He previously was chief executive of Israel’s largest bank, Leumi. Gabay’s presence gives Israel an unofficial representative on the executive board.

Mladenov, a Bulgarian politician and former U.N. envoy to the Middle East, will serve as the “high representative” for Gaza. He will act as the on-the-ground link between the Board of Peace and the Palestinian technocratic committee.

Shaath has been named as head of the new Palestinian committee administering Gaza’s daily affairs. Shaath, an engineer, is a Gaza native who previously served as deputy transportation minister for the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

FILE - Members of the committee monitoring the Lebanon-Israel ceasefire, the Head of Mission and Force Commander of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), Major General Aroldo Lazaro Saenz of Spain, center, US Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers, right, and Gen. Guillaume Ponchamp of France, left, meet with Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, at the government palace in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Bilal Hussein, File)

FILE - Sigrid Kaag, United Nations senior humanitarian and reconstruction coordinator for Gaza, attends a Security Council meeting at the United Nations headquarters, Tuesday, July 2, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, File)

FILE - President of the World Bank Ajay Banga attends the 1+10 Dialogue between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and with heads of major international economic organizations in Beijing, China, Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 25, 2017 file photo, the U.N. special envoy for the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov, attends a press conference at the (UNSCO) offices in Gaza City. (AP Photo/Adel Hana, File)

FILE - Egypt's intelligence chief Hassan Rashad attends his meeting with the Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File)

FILE - The UAE's Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Al Hashimy arrives for the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting at Itamaraty Palace in Rio de Janeiro, Tuesday, April 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado, File)

FILE - Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan answers questions from reporters during a news conference in Istanbul, Turkey, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra, File)

FILE - Britain's former Prime Minister Tony Blair walks through the COP28 U.N. Climate Summit, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool, file)

FILE - US envoy Steve Witkoff, left, and US businessman Jared Kushner attend a press conference after the signing of the declaration on deploying post-ceasefire force in Ukraine during the 'Coalition of the Willing' summit on security guarantees for Ukraine, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Tuesday, Jan 6, 2026. (Ludovic Marin, Pool photo via AP, File)

FILE - Secretary of State Marco Rubio makes a statement to reporters while meeting with Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan at the State Department in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen, File)

FILE - A displacement camp sheltering Palestinians on a beach amid stormy weather is seen in Gaza City, Jan. 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi, File)