President Donald Trump has signed an executive order introducing fresh measures to combat crime in Washington D.C., while signaling the possibility of a nationwide deployment of the National Guard.
The order directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a &ldquo;specialized DC National Guard unit&rdquo; trained specifically to ensure public safety and maintain order in the capital. It also instructs the Defense Department to ensure that state National Guards are &ldquo;similarly trained and ready to assist in quelling civil disturbances nationwide.&rdquo;
A quick-reaction National Guard force will also be made available for &ldquo;rapid nationwide deployment&rdquo; whenever required.
The order further calls on the National Park Service to recruit more U.S. Park Police officers to bolster safety in the capital, and directs the U.S. Attorney&rsquo;s Office for Washington D.C. to hire additional prosecutors dedicated to violent and property crimes.
&ldquo;This is about restoring order, ensuring safety, and taking bold action where others have failed,&rdquo; Trump said at the White House, hinting that Chicago and New York could be among the next cities targeted for federal intervention.
The move comes just days after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth instructed National Guard members patrolling Washington&rsquo;s streets to begin carrying their service weapons.
Trump has repeatedly pointed to Democratic-led cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Baltimore, and Oakland as &ldquo;crime hotspots&rdquo; that may see expanded Guard deployment. His latest remarks escalated tensions with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who criticized the move in Washington and invited Trump to visit Baltimore instead to discuss public safety concerns.
While the executive order underscores Trump&rsquo;s intent to expand the Guard&rsquo;s role, legal experts noted it leaves unclear how federal forces would operate in states where governors oppose their deployment.

Trump Signs Order Expanding Crime Crackdown

Executive order creates DC Guard unit, signals nationwide deployment to tackle crime

Trump Signs Order Expanding Crime Crackdown

Executive order creates DC Guard unit, signals nationwide deployment to tackle crime

August 26, 2025 | 14:49 IST