Trump Asserts DC Will Not Return to Sanctuary City Status During His Administration

Trump’s Stance on Washington, D.C.’s Sanctuary Policies

On Monday, President Trump made it clear he would not let Washington, D.C. revert to being a sanctuary city that doesn’t work with federal immigration officials.

He referred to a national emergency and expressed plans to once again oversee the local police, as indicated in a post he made on social media. This declaration followed statements from the Metropolitan Police Department suggesting they might stop cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since Trump’s initial emergency order had expired.

Trump remarked how D.C. transitioned from one of the most dangerous cities to, surprisingly, one of the safer places in the world during the federal oversight. “It was great to see, but now, because of pressure from radical Democrats, Mayor Bowser, who has allowed this violent crime wave, has told the federal government that the local police will no longer cooperate with ICE regarding the removal of dangerous illegal immigrants,” he continued.

If this sanctuary policy returns, Trump warned, crime would surge back into the city. He emphasized that he wouldn’t allow it to happen to the residents and businesses there.

The president added, “If necessary, declare a national emergency and alert the federal government!” with a tone of urgency.

As for Mayor Bowser’s office, there wasn’t any response to inquiries about the situation.

Earlier in August, Trump had announced a criminal emergency in D.C., placing the local police under federal control and sending in hundreds of National Guard members. The city has long been a sanctuary that avoided collaborating with federal immigration authorities until an executive order mandated such cooperation a few days later.

Trump’s federal measures have reportedly led to notable improvements in public safety. A comparison of crime stats during his administration’s law enforcement actions in D.C. showed significant declines—21% in 2024 and 33% in 2023.

In September, Bowser issued her own order supporting collaboration between local and federal law enforcement, acknowledging that increased federal presence had contributed to a drop in crime. “With fewer carjackings, decreasing gun use, and reductions in murders and robberies, the neighborhood feels increasingly secure,” she stated.

However, this emergency status has now lapsed since Congress didn’t extend Trump’s powers over the police department. Following this, Bowser expressed hope that local police could revert to their previous routines, which included stopping ICE operations.