President Donald Trump took unprecedented steps toward federalizing Washington, D.C. on Monday, saying it’s needed to fight crime even as city leaders pointed to data showing violence is down.He took command of the police department and deployed the National Guard under laws and Constitutional powers that give the federal government more sway over the nation’s capital than other cities.

President Trump promised a weekend crackdown on Washington, D.C.'s homeless population and criminals. Trump activated federal agents to also be a show of force across the district.

Though the Trump administration claims violence in the capital is getting worse, police statistics show violent crime has been declining.