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Trump Says He May Deploy National Guard In D.C.

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he may mobilize the National Guard in Washington, D.C., if the city is unable to crack down on violent crime.

The commander in chief, who deployed National Guard troops to Los Angeles earlier this year in response to anti-ICE riots, made the comment at the White House after a reporter asked if he was considering taking over the police in D.C.

“We’re considering it, yeah, because the crime is ridiculous,” Trump said, adding later that his plan may include “bringing in the National Guard, maybe, very quickly, too.”

Trump reiterated his interest in federalizing D.C. in addition to talking about his desire to clean up the nation’s capital with projects such as removing graffiti and fixing up roads.

“We’re going to beautify the city,” Trump said.

Trump also spoke about Ed Coristine, aka “Big Balls,” a government staffer who was beaten up while trying to protect a woman during an attempted carjacking in D.C. Police say they have arrested two juveniles in connection with the assault.

“You know, we just almost lost a young man. Beautiful, handsome guy who got the hell knocked out of him the night before last,” Trump said.

The president noted that he planned to speak with Coristine on the phone as the 19-year-old recovers from the violent incident.

“He went through a bad situation, to put it mildly. And there’s too much of it,” Trump said.

On Tuesday, Trump posted to Truth Social an image that appeared to show a beaten-up Coristine and warned federalization would happen if D.C. does not stymie violent crime.

Among those who vouched for the idea response to Trump’s announcement was Elon Musk, who worked with Coristine in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) effort.

Eleanor Holmes Norton, a Democrat who is the D.C. non-voting delegate in the House, responded to Musk on X and pushed back on what Trump was saying.

“1) Violent crime is horrific and unacceptable no matter where it occurs,” Norton said. “2) DC’s violent crime rate is at a 30-year low. 3) Presidents have no authority to unilaterally take control of DC. Congress would have to pass a law, and I won’t let the current effort get that far.”

However, Norton may not get her way as some Republican lawmakers have voiced interest in revoking the D.C. Home Rule that allows the capital city a limited amount of self-governance.

When asked on Wednesday if he wants Congress to look at overturning the D.C. Home Rule Act, Trump said that “the lawyers are already studying” the matter.

“This has to be the best-run place in the country, not the worst-run place in the country,” Trump said. “And it has so much potential. And we’re going to take care of it. You’re going to be safe … walking down streets.”

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