Following a former DOGE worker nicknamed "Big Balls" being brutally beaten by gang members in the streets of Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump indicated he is strongly considering taking control of the district to stamp out the rampant crime and violence plaguing the nation’s capital city. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images and AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
In a statement to Fox News, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced "there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C." beginning on Thursday night.
"Washington, DC is an amazing city, but it has been plagued by violent crime for far too long," Leavitt said. "President Trump has directed an increased presence of federal law enforcement to protect innocent citizens. Starting tonight, there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C."
She added, "President Trump is committed to making our Nation’s capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors from all around the world."
The source familiar with the plans noted that stamping out the "out-of-control violent crime plaguing DC" has been an "ongoing priority" for the president and that the move is him delivering on his campaign promise to restore the capital city.
TRUMP THREATENS TO FEDERALIZE DC AFTER EX-DOGE EMPLOYEE 'BIG BALLS' VIOLENTLY BEATEN
President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
The source said the additional law enforcement will be devoted to protecting D.C. residents and visitors from the "scourge of violent crime plaguing" the city.
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"President Trump promised to Make DC Safe Again on the campaign trail – this is another promise kept," they said.
Peter Pinedo is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/president-trump-increases-federal-law-enforcement-presence-dc-violent-crime-surge