President Donald Trump said a new directive allowing the Metropolitan Police Department to disclose information to federal immigration authorities about those they pull over at traffic stops is a step in the right direction. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)
"I have heard that it just happened," Trump said. "That's a great step. That's a great step if they're doing that. Yeah. I think that's going to happen all over the country. We want to stop crime. I think if the Democrats aren't strong on this issue, they won't be able to do it."
The order means that Metropolitan Police can share details about their interactions with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
In addition to Trump, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem also hailed the new order a success earlier Thursday.
"That means that as soon as they encounter somebody who is committing a crime, they will share that with ICE and we will be able to get those illegal criminals out of this country and we’ll make America safer," Noem told Fox News Thursday.
TRUMP TAKES CONTROL OF METRO POLICE, DEPLOYS NATIONAL GUARD TO TAKE ON WASHINGTON CRIME
Department of Homeland Security and U.S. marshal personnel perform a traffic stop on a individual allegedly with expired tags and no driver's license Aug. 12, 2025, in Washington. (Andrew Leyden)
However, Washington is different because the federal government oversees the District of Columbia National Guard.
Meanwhile, Democrats on Capitol Hill have decried Trump’s attempt to federalize the police and bring in National Guard troops.
"First, Donald Trump used the Marines and the National Guard to support his mass deportation agenda in Los Angeles," Schiff posted on X Monday. "Now, he's using similar tactics in D.C. like a tinpot dictator. Don't look away. Don't stay silent. If you do, don't be surprised if it's your city next."
Diana Stancy is a politics reporter with Fox News Digital covering the White House.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/dc-traffic-stop-reporting-illegal-immigrants-great-step-trump-says-other-blue-cities-could-next