Signaling collaboration, DC mayor orders emergency operations center kept open to work with feds

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a nod to continuing collaboration, the mayor of Washington, D.C., issued an order Tuesday to continue the work of an emergency operations center the city set up in response to the federal law enforcement surge ordered by President Donald Trump to battle what he insisted was out-of-control crime.

The order from Mayor Muriel Bowser, who is walking a tightrope between portions of her constituency and her relationship with Trump's White House, allows the center to continue managing the city’s response and coordinate communications with federal law enforcement.

The order said the so-called “Safe and Beautiful Emergency Operations Center (SBEOC)” — a title that riffs off Trump lingo — will work with a number of federal agencies, including the FBI, the U.S. Park Police, the DEA, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Secret Service.

Together, they plan to address a number of issues, including concerns and goals the city has in maintaining the confidence of district residents during law enforcement encounters by federal agencies. Bowser's order lays out in detail the federal law enforcement entities she anticipates working with going forward — with no indication of an end date.

The operations center “will communicate the District’s requests that federal partners adhere to established policing practices that maintain community confidence in law enforcement officers, such as not wearing masks, clearly identifying their agency, and providing identification during arrests and encounters with the public,” the order said.

Trump, speaking at a press conference, praised Bowser and said the surge had worked. “I’m very proud of Washington,” he said. “It can be used as a template.”

Speaking during a press conference last week, Bowser credited the surge of federal authorities with bringing down the level of crime in the city, including an 87 percent drop in carjackings. “When carjackings go down, when homicides or robbery go down, neighborhoods feel safer,” she said.

But the mayor also said at that Aug. 27 press briefing, the presence of masked agents who were not always identifiable had led to a “break in trust between, police and community, especially with new federal partners.”

“We know having masked ICE agents in the community has not worked and National Guard from other states has not been an efficient use of those resources,” she said at that news conference. Bowser said she was “devastated” that some residents were living in fear.

According to Tuesday's order, a census conducted last week of people living outside across the city identified 764 total, including 81 living in tents. At the end of July, there were 128 people living in those tents. Since the start of the surge, approximately 80 additional people have entered the district’s shelter system, the order said but added it is “unknown where those individuals were living prior to coming into shelter,” the order said.

Trump has increased the number of federal law enforcement and immigration agents on city streets while also taking over the Metropolitan Police Department and activating thousands of National Guard members. Last month, Trump said he wants $2 billion from Congress to beautify Washington.

Trump, speaking at a press conference, said the city was safe and that restaurants were enjoying booming business. “We have no crime,” he asserted flatly. “You’re not going to be shot.”

The efforts were roundly supported by Republicans who held a news conference in front of the Capitol on their first day back from recess.

“We are here today to talk about something Donald Trump promised during the campaign,” said Rep. Buddy Carter, who is running for Senate in Georgia. “He promised to make our nation safer and more prosperous.” He then introduced legislation called Make Our Streets Safe Again.

“President Trump’s unyielding leadership and strength coupled with proper congressional oversight ensures that Washington, D.C., will reclaim its rightful place,” said Rep. Harriet Hageman, who represents Wyoming.

Two protesters who interrupted their remarks were apprehended by Capitol Police during the news conference. At the end of their remarks, the lawmakers were met with chants of “shame” by dozens of protesters.

Federal authorities have talked about pushing for similar surges of federal law enforcement authorities and National Guard units to other major cities, though that would unfold differently since the federal government has a unique relationship with the District of Columbia, which is a federal district.

Speaking Sunday on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem indicated ICE would be expanding immigration operations in Chicago. Bowser’s order came on the same day that a federal judge in Los Angeles said actions taken there using the military were illegal.

Associated Press writer Leah Askarinam contributed.

Members of the District of Columbia National Guard patrol the passengers area in Union Station, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Aaron Glenn finally had seen enough from his porous, underachieving New York Jets defense after 14 games.

The first-year head coach fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks on Monday, a day after the team gave up 48 points in one of its worst losses in a 3-11 season.

Glenn announced that Chris Harris, the team's defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator, would take over for Wilks. Glenn added that he would assist Harris in the play-calling duties this week.

Glenn said during a video call with reporters that he made the decision late Sunday night — a few hours after New York's 48-20 loss at Jacksonville. He said he spoke to Wilks on Monday morning to inform him that he was relieving him of his duties.

“I felt like it was the best decision for the organization at this time,” Glenn said. “I've said this all along, that I'm evaluating players, I'm evaluating coaches, I'm evaluating myself, and I just felt like this was the best decision for right now, for the team and for this organization.”

The 56-year-old Wilks was the first of the Jets' three coordinators hired by Glenn after he took over as head coach in January. Wilks was out of the NFL last season while serving as a volunteer adviser for Charlotte’s football team. He was San Francisco’s defensive coordinator in 2023, but was fired after the 49ers’ loss in the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Wilks' defense with the Jets struggled all season, ranking among the league's worst against the run and points allowed. New York set an NFL record with no interceptions through its first 14 games, which also tied a league mark for any 14-game stretch in a season.

The Jets had expected their defense to be a strength for a team that was adjusting to changes to its coaching staff and with a new general manager in Darren Mougey. But the unit struggled all season under Wilks. As of Monday, the Jets' defense ranks 20th overall, 29th against the run and 30th in average points allowed. The pass defense has been serviceable, ranking 12th in the league.

New York, which failed to make the playoffs for the 15th straight year, dealt two of its top players — cornerback Sauce Gardner and defensive tackle Quinnen Williams — at the trade deadline. That further weakened an already inconsistent defense under Wilks.

Two weeks ago, the Jets gave up 167 yards rushing in a 27-24 victory over Atlanta. They followed that up by allowing 239 yards on the ground last week in a 34-10 loss to Miami. On Sunday, Trevor Lawrence threw five touchdown passes and ran for another score in the blowout loss at Jacksonville, during which the Jaguars scored on eight of their first nine possessions.

After the game, Glenn brushed off questions about whether he might consider pulling play-calling duties from Wilks, saying he brought the veteran coach to New York “for a reason, and I want him to run his system.” A few hours later, Glenn decided to move forward without Wilks for the final three games of the season.

“I just thought that from last week going into this week, the improvement wasn't there,” Glenn said. “And I thought it was time to make a change.”

The 43-year-old Harris had 16 career interceptions while playing safety for eight NFL seasons during two stints with Chicago, along with stops in Carolina, Detroit and Jacksonville. After retiring from playing in 2013, Harris began his coaching career as a defensive quality control coach for the Bears before joining the Chargers as an assistant defensive backs coach in 2016.

He served in the same role for Washington from 2020 through the 2022 season before being hired by Tennessee as the defensive pass game coordinator and cornerbacks coach.

Glenn said Harris has experience calling defensive plays in the preseason, so he expects him to get up to speed quickly.

“This is a league of change,” Glenn said. “And with change comes opportunity, and this will be a good opportunity for him to get a chance to call it.”

The Jets actually got their second defensive takeaway of the season against Jacksonville, a fumble recovery by Malachi Moore — just over two months after Andre Cisco's fumble recovery against Denver on Oct. 12. New York ranks last in the NFL with a minus-17 turnover differential.

“I want to see consistent improvement,” Glenn said. “I want to see structure that’s consistent. I want to see play that’s consistent. And I want to see the culture of this football team come together.”

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FILE - New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks walks onto the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, on Sept. 29, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)