On August 11, 2025, President Trump declared a “crime emergency” in Washington, DC—and sent in the troops. Federal law enforcement and National Guard units are on the ground in an unprecedented takeover of an American city.
Washington, DC, is now a changed city. Checkpoints come and go on major streets and intersections, backing up traffic for blocks. Armed troops patrol the Mall, the subways, Union Station. ICE agents leap from cars to tackle migrants. Neighborhoods once bustling have gone quiet. Restaurant reservations are down an estimated 20 percent.
And crime is down. City officials acknowledge that crime has declined in the last several weeks, but add that it was already falling sharply well before August 11th. But crime in Washington remains a serious issue.
What is it like to live in DC right now? For a couple of days last week, we went across the city to find out. Here is our report, Voices From the Takeover.
