The United States Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Sunday that federal authorities arrested 68 individuals and seized 15 illegal firearms in Washington D.C. The number of suspects apprehended by the Trump administration after taking over the Metropolitan Police Department has exceeded 300.
Bondi took to social media to convey the recent developments, stating, “Over 300 individuals have been arrested in Washington D.C., and the number continues to rise. Just last night, our federal and D.C. law enforcement partners arrested 68 individuals and seized 15 illegal firearms.”
“Murder suspects, drug traffickers, and more criminals are facing prosecution,” Bondi wrote. “I will continue to stand with you to make Washington D.C. safe once again.”
President Trump announced last week the temporary takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington D.C. and the deployment of the National Guard to assist in maintaining the capital’s security, citing increasing crime rates and homelessness issues as reasons for the action based on the 1973 District of Columbia Home Rule Act.
In the following days, federal authorities swiftly deployed the National Guard to Washington D.C. and assumed control of the police department, commencing a crackdown on criminal activities in the city.
The progress of federal authorities has been rapid, with over 300 suspects apprehended in less than a week. Federal authorities are in the process of charging these suspects.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller also remarked on social media on Sunday that the chaos on the streets of the capital is being addressed. He stated in a post, “The graffiti in Washington D.C. is being removed.”
President Trump’s decision to take control of the Metropolitan Police Department has sparked opposition from Democrats and has led to legal disputes. Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb filed a lawsuit last Friday challenging the Trump administration’s actions. However, later that day, the Department of Justice reached an agreement with D.C. officials to withdraw Bondi’s previous directive to appoint an Emergency Commissioner to temporarily assume leadership of the Metropolitan Police Department and oversee law enforcement operations in the city.