Federalizing the DC Police: Manufactured Crises and the Erosion of Democratic Protections

This week, Washington, DC experienced an unprecedented federal intervention when President Donald Trump – using deeply dehumanizing language – took control of the city’s police department and deployed the DC National Guard to patrol the streets and conduct law enforcement – despite the fact that violent crime in DC is at a 30 year low with a 26% decrease from last year. 

As the DC Jewish Community Relations Council noted, this “deeply misguided decision disregards hard facts.” 

In his announcement, the President said that this was a starting point, and that they will “go further,” naming Chicago, Oakland, Baltimore, and New York as cities he believes have out of control crime that demands a federal response, raising more legal and constitutional concerns. Already, the National Guard has been deployed in Los Angeles, a move which is currently being challenged in court for violating the Posse Comitatus Act, which prevents the military from performing domestic law enforcement.  

What is happening in Washinagton, DC and Los Angeles is part of a pattern of using manufactured crises as a justification to get around democratic protections and separation of powers.  

• The claim of an “enemy invasion” has been used to grant the President emergency powers under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deploy the military against immigrants and to go into cities to round up and deport immigrants to countries they may not be from, without having to go through any due process

• Similarly, the supposed “crime emergency” in Washington, DC mirrors the use of the false and dehumanizing claims that America is being invaded by immigrants by claiming that cities have become out of control and demand an extraordinary response. 

These actions help further undermine democratic norms and normalize extremism 

• At a moment when democratic norms – including the rule of law and separation of powers — are under direct threat and dehumanizing extremism has become so normalized – often fueling violence against marginalized communities, including Jews – this is especially dangerous. 

• The administration is ignoring the reality of DC’s 30-year-low in crime while advancing dehumanizing rhetoric about out-of-control youth, homelessness, and neighborhoods that need federal intervention. In fact, President Trump explicitly rejected DC’s request for more police officers saying it was unnecessary, calling instead for more forceful policing. 

Learn More: JCPA and 83+ Civil Rights Groups Urge Congress to Reject Funding for Bigoted “Invasion” Conspiracy 

Read our Letter: Civil Rights Organizations Oppose DC Policing Takeover

Speak Out: Over 100 Jewish Groups Voice Deep Alarm and Concern Over Recent Attacks on Democratic Norms and Values