1:19District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser walks outside of federal court in Washington, Aug. 15, 2025.Mark Schiefelbein/AP
On Monday, Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser expressed skepticism regarding assertions that the arrival of federal officers has enhanced safety in the city, following remarks from the attorney general who highlighted arrest statistics from the weekend.
“The [D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department] removes firearms from the streets daily, and whenever there is an increase in officers, I anticipate some outcomes,” Bowser stated. “I consistently advocate for an additional 500 officers. With 500 more officers in D.C., we should see results equivalent to that increase. However, what is not warranted is this type of control or the attempted control of the police force itself, along with the extended duties that I believe do not pertain to violence.”
When questioned, Bowser stressed that National Guard personnel “cannot perform law enforcement duties, to my knowledge,” adding, “Unless their instructions have somehow altered, I am uncertain if they can partake in arrests.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who spent part of the weekend at U.S. Park Police headquarters providing meals to federal agents stationed in D.C., reported that the operation has led to 400 arrests thus far.
FBI agents walk down Florida Ave between 14th street NW and 13th street NW, August 13, 2025 in Washington.Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
"Washington, DC is becoming safer each night due to our law enforcement collaborators," she announced on X. "This past weekend, there were 137 arrests and 21 illegal firearms confiscated. Overall, we have nearly 400 arrests — and we are just getting started!"
The DC Police Union has highlighted a reduction in crime since the federal government intensified law enforcement presence in the District, reporting a 46% decline in robbery, a 22% decrease in violent crime, and an 8% overall drop in crime.
According to statistics released by the MPD, crime in the nation’s capital was already on the decline from the previous year, but they did not respond when inquired about the potential impact of federal agencies’ involvement.
D.C.’s budget encountered a $1 billion deficit when, in a bid to prevent a government shutdown earlier this year, lawmakers included provisions in a substantial government funding package that would restrict the District to 2024 spending levels.
Shortly after the bill’s passage, House Speaker Mike Johnson declared he would lead the House in enacting standalone legislation to rectify the D.C. budget. The Senate unanimously approved legislation to correct the oversight in mid-March, but the House has yet to address the Senate’s proposal and has not taken action on the issue so far.
Over the weekend, agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Park Police, and members of the National Guard were observed throughout Washington, D.C.
FBI agents patrolling city streets — not only in Washington but across other cities nationwide — will soon be equipped with tasers, according to a source familiar with the operations, to provide a nonlethal option to agents in the field.
More states are deploying National Guard members to D.C.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser walks outside of federal court in Washington, Aug. 15, 2025.Mark Schiefelbein/AP
Troops from the West Virginia National Guard have started to arrive, and 877 Guard members have been mobilized thus far. This number is projected to increase to over 1,500 in the coming days as additional troops arrive from West Virginia, Ohio, and South Carolina.
The MPD is also now providing limited support to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Over
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
