The Justice Department has rejected a request by the D.C. Council to withdraw National Guard troops from the nation’s capital, calling the council’s demands ‘politically motivated’ and asserting it holds no authority over the deployment.
The Department of Justice sent a letter to the D.C. Council on Wednesday, responding to its recent correspondence with governors of states whose National Guard units are stationed in Washington, D.C. The council had urged those governors to recall their troops, citing concerns over the troops’ presence and role in the city.
In the letter, Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald stated that the D.C. Council’s request was ‘impotent theatrics’ and emphasized that the council lacks the power to compel the removal of National Guard troops. McDonald also highlighted what he described as historic reductions in crime in the city since the deployment of National Guard troops and increased federal law enforcement presence under the ‘Safe and Beautiful’ initiative, launched in August 2025.
Crime Reduction Claims
The Justice Department’s response cited data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which reported a 44% drop in homicides in D.C. since the initiative began. The FBI also noted 6,000 arrests made during the same period. These figures were presented as evidence of the initiative’s effectiveness in improving public safety.
McDonald’s letter argued that the D.C. Council’s actions ignored these improvements and instead sought to undermine the federal effort. He stated that the council’s letters to governors were an attempt to ‘feign ignorance’ of the city’s safety gains and accused the council of ‘callousness’ toward constituents who, he claimed, now live in a safer environment.
D.C. Council’s Position
The D.C. Council has not publicly responded to the Justice Department’s letter as of the time of reporting. However, the council’s original letters to governors, sent earlier this week, framed the National Guard deployment as an unnecessary escalation that could undermine local governance and public trust. The letters did not provide specific details on why the troops should be withdrawn but referenced concerns over militarization and local control.
Federal Response and Broader Context
The Justice Department’s rejection of the council’s request underscores the ongoing tension between federal and local authorities over the management of public safety in D.C. The Safe and Beautiful initiative, spearheaded by the Trump administration, has been a central point of contention, with supporters crediting it for reducing violent crime and critics arguing it represents an overreach of federal authority.
The deployment of National Guard troops and federal agents has been a key component of the initiative, aimed at addressing rising crime rates in the capital. The initiative also includes expanded federal law enforcement operations and increased surveillance in high-crime areas.
Next Steps
The Justice Department has stated it will continue to support the initiative and the presence of National Guard troops in D.C. The D.C. Council has not indicated whether it plans to pursue further action in response to the federal rejection.