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PULSE POINTS
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federalized law enforcement, under the direction of President Donald J. Trump, made 52 arrests in Washington, D.C.—including an MS-13 gang member with prior convictions—on Monday night as part of a broader crime crackdown.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Federal and local law enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Trump administration, with criticism from Democrat D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Brian Schwalb.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Washington, D.C., on Monday night, August 18, 2025, as part of ongoing operations since August 7, 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “At the direction of [President Trump], our nation’s capital is a SAFER place—and we are just getting started.” – U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi
🎯IMPACT: Over 450 arrests have been made since August 7, despite significant pushback from local Democratic leaders over federal involvement in D.C.’s policing.
IN FULL
Monday night saw a new round of arrests totalling 52 suspects by federal and local law enforcement in Washington, D.C., under the direction of President Donald J. Trump. Among those apprehended is an alleged member of the violent Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang with prior convictions for driving while intoxicated and drug possession. Notably, MS-13 was declared a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by President Trump in February.
“At the direction of [President Trump], our nation’s capital is a SAFER place—and we are just getting started. [Fifty-two] arrests were made last night, including an MS-13 gang member, and [nine] firearms were taken off the streets,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. She added, “Since our mission began, there have been a total of 465 arrests, 68 guns seized, and charges for homicide, narcotics, and firearm offenses. Nearly half of these arrests occurred in the high-crime areas of D.C. Residents and tourists alike appreciate this extraordinary effort by our DC and Federal law enforcement partners.”
The White House reported that out of 212 non-immigration arrests, 101 occurred in Wards 7 and 8, areas known for higher crime rates. Federal authorities also cleared four homeless encampments on Monday.
Meanwhile, Washington D.C.’s Democrat mayor, Muriel Bowser, criticized the federalization of the city’s police force, calling it “an intrusion on our autonomy.” Speaking at a community town hall, she urged residents to resist what she described as an “authoritarian push” and to work towards electing a Democratic-controlled Congress to counter the Trump White House. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb echoed her concerns, tweeting that the deployment of armed soldiers undermines public safety and democracy.
The Trump administration has defended its actions, with Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating that ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) have been deployed to “clean up the streets of our nation’s capital.” She added, “Our message is clear: Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States.” Bondi also recently issued an order overriding D.C.’s sanctuary policies, ensuring compliance between local police and federal immigration authorities.
The D.C. Police Union also appears happy with the Trump takeover, noting that serious crimes such as carjacking are down by as much as 83 percent.
Image by Ted Eytan.
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