President Donald Trump visited the US Park Police Anacostia Operations Facility in Southeast Washington, DC, tonight, delivering off-the-cuff remarks to law enforcement across several agencies.
Trump reiterated that his efforts to crack down on crime may expand beyond DC, but said the priority is on the capital right now.
“We’re not playing games. We’re going to make it safe, and we’re going to then go on to other places, but we’re going to stay here for a while. We want to make this absolutely perfect,” Trump said.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers from DC Metropolitan Police, the National Guard, Homeland Security, Drug Enforcement Administration, US Marshals and FBI were spotted outside for Trump’s remarks. Officers from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were also in attendance.
“Everybody’s safe now. Everybody feels safe,” Trump said.
Some key context: Roughly eight in 10 DC residents oppose Trump’s federal takeover of the Metropolitan Police Department, according to a new Washington Post-Schar School poll. You can read our fact check of his claims on DC crime here.
More on the visit: Trump was accompanied by several members of his Cabinet, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Attorney General Pam Bondi, White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. Emil Bove, a controversial former Justice Department official who was recently confirmed as a federal appeals court judge, also attended.
Trump brought hamburgers from the White House and pizza from the local chain Wise Guys.
“We’re going to have a little fun, we’re going to celebrate, but then we’re going to get back to work and we’re going to take care of these criminals, we’re going to put them where they have to be,” Trump said.
This post has been updated with additional information and context from Trump’s visit.