A surge in crime in the nation’s capital has prompted President Donald Trump to direct federal law enforcement to up its presence there.
Trump first addressed this issue when he signed an executive order which created the “Making DC Safe and Beautiful Task Force” in March.
Now, in Thursday night’s action, there will be a bigger presence by federal law enforcement officials, including Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI and DEA, Fox News reported.
This started at midnight Thursday and will last seven days in the beginning, but could go longer “as needed.”
The target areas are in high-traffic tourist places as well as other known hotspots.
These include the National Mall and Memorial Parks, museums, monuments, Lafayette Park, Union Station, Rock Creek Park, Anacostia Park, the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the Suitland Parkway, and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt commented on the move in a statement to Fox News.
“There will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C.” beginning Thursday night, she said.
“Washington, D.C., is an amazing city, but it has been plagued by violent crime for far too long,” Leavitt added. “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 continued, stating the president is hopeful to make Washington, D.C., a safer place.
“President Trump is committed to making our Nation’s capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors from all around the world,” she said.
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.
The order also instructs the task force to review and, if needed, revise federal prosecutorial policies on pretrial detention of criminal defendants to ensure individuals who pose a threat to public safety are detained to the maximum extent permitted by law.
Additionally, the order instructs the task force to direct maximum enforcement of federal immigration law, redirecting federal, state or local law enforcement resources to apprehend and deport illegals throughout the area.
