President Donald Trump is pushing hard to keep his grip on Washington, D.C.'s law enforcement, signaling a no-nonsense approach to crime and disorder in the nation's capital.

According to NewsNation, Trump announced at a Wednesday event at the Kennedy Center that he will ask Congress to extend his 30-day takeover of the district's Metropolitan Police Department and National Guard troops. If Congress balks, he’s prepared to declare a national emergency to maintain control.

This move comes after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt hinted on Tuesday that the administration might reassess the 30-day timeline as too brief for Trump’s enforcement goals. The message is clear: the president isn’t playing around when it comes to restoring order.

Crackdown Yields Over 100 Arrests Already

Since the takeover began, over 100 individuals have been apprehended in D.C., as confirmed by a White House official to NewsNation on Wednesday. Charges range from narcotics and firearms violations to drunk driving and outstanding warrants, with one person even facing a homicide charge.

Authorities seized 24 guns during these operations, and 23 of those arrested were identified as unauthorized migrants. Tuesday night alone saw a massive deployment of 1,450 personnel, including 700 federal agents, 30 National Guard troops, and 750 local police officers.

A “significantly higher” National Guard presence hit the streets Wednesday night, and starting Thursday, these troops will patrol around the clock, not just after dark. This escalation shows Trump’s resolve to clamp down without hesitation.

Homeless Encampments Face Swift Clearance

On Wednesday morning, the White House revealed plans to clear two homeless camps on National Park Service land as early as this week. Video footage captured the same day shows one encampment already in the process of being dismantled.

Advocates for the homeless warned NewsNation on Tuesday that shelter space in D.C. is severely limited, raising questions about where these displaced individuals will go. One encampment resident bluntly predicted chaos, saying, “That’s going to be a mess, I’m telling you.”

Leavitt clarified on Tuesday that those in encampments will be offered a choice: leave voluntarily, accept shelter, or access addiction and mental health services. Refusal, she warned, could lead to fines or jail time under existing, yet previously unenforced, laws.

National Guard and Federal Forces Unite

NewsNation cameras recorded around 800 National Guard members arriving for duty on Tuesday, joining forces with U.S. Park Police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Border czar Tom Homan confirmed the coordinated effort, underscoring the administration’s commitment to a robust federal presence.

This isn’t just a local operation; it’s a signal of Trump’s broader intent to tackle urban issues head-on. With over 702,000 residents in D.C. as of December 2024, the stakes for public safety in the capital are undeniably high.

Trump’s own words at the Kennedy Center event cut to the chase: “We’re going to take back our capital.” That’s not just rhetoric; it’s a promise of action that challenges the status quo of lax enforcement.

Could Other Cities Be Next on Trump’s List?

Trump isn’t stopping at D.C., as he’s already floated plans to expand this crackdown on crime and homelessness to other Democrat-led cities like New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Baltimore. His vision, as stated Wednesday, is to reclaim order wherever progressive policies have, in his view, let chaos fester.

After declaring his intent to secure the capital, Trump added, “And then we’ll look at other cities.” That statement alone should put city leaders on notice that federal intervention might be closer than they think.

This approach isn’t about heavy-handedness for its own sake; it’s about addressing real problems that have been ignored for too long under the guise of compassion. While empathy for the struggling remains vital, allowing lawlessness or unsafe conditions to persist isn’t a solution, and Trump’s actions suggest he’s done waiting for one.