President Donald Trump announced the deployment of 800 National Guard troops to Washington and placed the city’s police under federal control, citing what he called a surge in violent crime despite official data showing a sharp decline.
Speaking at the White House alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump said the measures were needed because “our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals.” He warned that U.S. military forces could also be deployed “if needed” and confirmed that Bondi would oversee the police takeover.
The move comes despite Washington’s own statistics showing violent crime fell 35% in 2024 to a 30-year low, and dropped a further 26% in the first seven months of 2025. Overall crime was down 7% in the same period.
Mayor Muriel Bowser rejected Trump’s portrayal of the city, saying Washington was “not experiencing a crime spike” and warning that the president was manufacturing a crisis to expand his authority over the Democratic-run city.
The deployment follows days of increased federal law enforcement activity in Washington, with agents from the FBI, ICE, DEA, and ATF fanning out across the city. Trump invoked a section of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act that permits temporary federal control of the police in “special conditions of an emergency nature,” declaring a “public safety emergency.”
He has also suggested overturning the 1973 law that allows D.C. residents to elect their own mayor and council, a change that would require an act of Congress. Critics have noted that Trump’s own Federal Emergency Management Agency has cut the capital region’s urban security funding by 44% this year.
The decision mirrors past actions by Trump, including sending 5,000 National Guard troops to Los Angeles last year over immigration raid protests and deploying the Guard in Washington during 2020’s racial justice demonstrations, both of which drew sharp criticism.
Under federal law, the U.S. military is largely barred from domestic law enforcement, though the president has direct authority over the D.C. National Guard, unlike in states where governors hold that power.
Trump has long used urban crime as a political theme, dating back to his 1989 call for the death penalty in the Central Park jogger case, involving five Black and Latino youths who were later exonerated. The men sued Trump for defamation after he repeated false claims about their guilt during a debate last year.
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The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of global concern as tensions rise following the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Tehran has threatened to block the strategic waterway, raising fears of disruption to global oil shipments and energy markets.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told Masoud Pezeshkian, his Iranian counterpart, that violations of Turkish airspace by Iran could not be justified “for any reason whatsoever.”
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
Trump says the United States "don’t need people that join wars after we’ve already won," targeting his criticism at UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Israel continues to fire missles at strategic sites in Iran and Gulf regions report more strikes from Iran.
Tensions in the region remained high on Tuesday (10 March), as the United States and Iran exchanged increasingly sharp warnings, including threats over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil supplies.
Global oil prices surpassed $119 a barrel on Monday (9 March, 2026), an almost four year high, as the Middle East conflict rumbled on.
China has urged Afghanistan and Pakistan to resolve their dispute through dialogue after Chinese envoy Yue Xiaoyong met Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, as fighting between the two neighbours entered its eleventh day.
Entry and exit across the state border between Azerbaijan and Iran for all types of cargo vehicles, including those in transit, will resume on 9 March, according to a statement by the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan.
Iran named Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father Ali Khamenei as supreme leader on Monday (9 March), signaling that hardliners remain firmly in charge, as the week-old U.S.-Israeli war with Iran pushed oil above $100 a barrel.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, has addressed the U.N. Security Council, saying the world must consider how effective its engagement with the Taliban-run country is as millions face hunger.
British MPs have rejected a proposal to introduce an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s, opting instead to give ministers flexible powers to impose restrictions on platforms.
Australia has granted humanitarian visas to five Iranian women footballers who sought asylum, fearing persecution after refusing to sing their national anthem at an Asia Cup match.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 10th of March, covering the latest developments you need to know.
U.S. President Donald Trump called his recent phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin “very good.” The two leaders spoke on Monday about the situation in Iran and other international issues.
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