WashingtonAs President Donald Trump’s law enforcement takeover of the nation’s capital began to take hold Thursday, the police chief in Washington, D.C., increased collaboration between her officers and federal immigration officials. Humvees positioned themselves in front of the crowded main train station, and National Guard soldiers guarded some of the most famous sites in the world.
According to the police chief’s order, officers of the Metropolitan Police Department are now permitted to provide immigration authorities with information about individuals who are not in custody, such as those who have been involved in a traffic stop or checkpoint. According to the ruling, MPD officers may also transport detained individuals and federal immigration employees.
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The district’s long-standing stance against collaborating with civil immigration enforcement is undermined by the revisions, which significantly increase cooperation between the two agencies. They take affect right away.
Walking a tightrope between her predominantly Democratic city’s constituents and the Republican White House, Mayor Muriel Bowser was out of town Thursday for a family commitment in Martha’s Vineyard but would return on Friday, according to her office.
Volunteers assisted homeless people in leaving long-standing encampments in a city that was tense due to the days leading up to the federal law enforcement action. It was frequently unclear where the homeless people were going. Trump told reporters that he was happy with the way the operation was going and that it now directly related to his attempts to curb immigration.
Regarding Police Chief Pamela Smith’s directive, Trump stated, “I’ve heard that just happened, and that’s a very positive thing.” That’s a really good step. If they are doing it, that’s a tremendous step.
An increase in federal and non-federal police activity
Compared to the previous two days, Thursday’s presence was a noticeable and conspicuous increase for an already cautious Washington. Residents going about their daily lives found the presence of federal forces across the city, including in numerous busy areas, to be startling. Trump has the authority to seize control of federal law enforcement for 30 days before Congress reviews his decisions, but he has stated that he will reassess as that time draws near.
Prior to Thursday, the reaction had been slow and, on the surface, quiet. However, authorities put up a checkpoint in a well-known nightlife district of D.C. on Wednesday night, which sparked protests. According to the White House, 45 people were arrested Wednesday night, including 29 who were detained for illegally entering the nation. Other charges included drug distribution or possession, carrying a concealed weapon, and assaulting a federal official.
According to the Pentagon, troops were positioned outside the Union Station transit hub as the 800 Guard soldiers that Trump has mobilized begin their responsibilities, which include beautification projects, community safety patrols, and monument guarding.
As the gatekeepers of our great nation’s capital, they will stay until the president determines that law and order has been restored in the District, according to Pentagon press secretary Kingsley Wilson. Because of its strict training and strong local links, the National Guard is especially suited for this mission.
Wilson stated that the troops would not be armed and refused to elaborate on the nature of the safety patrols, beautification initiatives, or the number of Guard men who had already been sent to the streets.
According to National Guard Major Micah Maxwell, troops will support law enforcement in a number of capacities, such as crowd management and traffic control stations. According to Maxwell, the Guard members have received training in crowd management techniques and de-escalation techniques.
Although Guard soldiers aren’t making arrests, the White House stated on Thursday that they are safeguarding government property, creating a secure environment for officers to make arrests, and discouraging violent crime by maintaining a visible police presence.
National Guard troops have a semi-regular presence in D.C., usually utilized for large public events such as the annual July 4 celebration, but the present deployment is occurring under unusual circumstances. In the past, they have been frequently employed to manage crowds in and around Metro stations.
Trump denied on Thursday that the federal law enforcement officers he deployed to combat crime in Washington’s streets had been taken away from more important tasks like counterterrorism. When asked if he was worried about it, Trump responded that he is only utilizing a very small force of soldiers and that, despite his security lockdown, city police are now free to carry out their duties as usual.
The future is uncertain for those who are homeless.
Meanwhile, with the assistance of staff members from certain local agencies and volunteers from nonprofit organizations, roughly a dozen homeless people in Washington packed up their possessions. Law officials did not forcibly remove most of the items, but a garbage truck was parked close by.
Nearby, a number of demonstrators carried signs, some of which were critical of the Trump administration. After the inhabitants departed, the remnants of the tents were cleaned by a city agency’s construction vehicle.
Although the departures were voluntary, the Trump administration’s overt threat prompted them. In the upcoming days, advocates anticipate that law enforcement will disperse throughout D.C. to forcibly dismantle any surviving homeless camps. Signs indicating a comprehensive cleanup of Washington Circle, a public area that still has a few tents, were erected by city workers Monday morning at 10 a.m.
Small groups of federal officers have been spotted in various locations throughout the city for the past two days. However, more were seen in prominent areas on Wednesday evening, and troops were anticipated to begin conducting additional missions on Thursday.
Officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration were spotted on the National Mall, and members of the Guard were parked close by as Homeland Security Investigations agents monitored the busy U Street area. FBI agents stood along the busy Massachusetts Avenue, while DEA agents accompanied MPD police on patrol in the Navy Yard district.
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This report was contributed to by Associated Press journalists David Klepper, Mike Pesoli, Darlene Superville, and Jacquelyn Martin.
