WATCH: Trump Addresses Federal Agents Before Going ‘On Patrol’ In DC

President Donald Trump addressed a large group of federal agents and National Guardsmen before personally heading “on patrol” with some of them on Thursday night.

The president discussed his federal takeover of the city’s police force, which was done under the Home Rule Act on August 7, 2025. As part of his strategy, the president has deployed 1,450 police and National Guard troops, marking the first time law enforcement assets in the capital have been brought under federal control.

“It’s a healthy, attractive-looking group of people. That’s good,” the president told the assembled group of agents and guardsmen, drawing laughs. “Well, I just want to thank everybody very much for being here. I wanted to do this. We’ve had some incredible results. The results have come out, and it’s like a different place. It’s like a different city.”

The crackdown has indeed produced results, as the city has gone seven days without a homicide “for the first time in a long time,” according to figures provided by the D.C. Police Union. Carjackings have also plummeted by 83 percent, while robberies are down 43 percent.

“It’s the capital. It’s going to be the best in the world. We’re going to do what you’re doing with law enforcement. And very importantly, also, we’re going to physically do it. We’re going back to Congress for some money, and we’re going to redo a lot of the pavement, a-lot of the medians, a lot of the graffiti is all coming off real fast,” the president said Thursday.

“The crime numbers are way down… I just wanted to thank you. You’re doing incredible. You’re incredible people. You make the country run.”

“I just want to say thank you to all of you. Every night when you hit the street, you make a difference — not just for us, but for everyone in the District,” said D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. “They are grateful for what you do, they are thankful. And I am making sure that we back the blue to the hilt,” she added before again thanking law enforcement and military personnel for “making a difference.”

While speaking with conservative radio host Todd Starnes earlier in the day, Trump confirmed that he would be personally joining a contingent of agents to oversee the operations firsthand.

“I’m going to be going out tonight, I’m going to keep it a secret, but I’m going to go,” Trump said on the show Thursday. “I’m going to be going out tonight, I think, with the police and with the military, of course. So we’re going to do a job. The National Guard is great. They’ve done a fantastic job.”