Trump sends National Guard to DC but why weren't they sent on J6?

Trump activates National Guard, names DEA commissioner to lead DC police force

by Brett Samuels/The Hill
08/11/25 10:49 AM ET

President Trump announced Monday he was taking federal control of the Washington, D.C., police department and deploying the National Guard in the nation’s capital in an effort to crack down on crime.

“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs and bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youth, drugged-out maniacs and homeless people, and we’re not going to let it happen anymore. We’re not going to take it,” Trump said.

Under the Home Rule Act, Trump can temporarily take control of the District’s police department if he determines “special conditions of an emergency nature exist.” The president announced Monday he was declaring a public safety emergency in the District.

Trump also has the authority to activate the D.C. National Guard without local approval, though he is restricted in certain other actions by the Home Rule Act, which grants various powers to D.C.’s local government. National Guard troops will not be able to make arrests but will support local and federal law enforcement.

Trump said he was tapping Terry Cole, the administrator of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), to serve as the federal government’s leader of the Metropolitan Police Department. Cole was sworn in as DEA commissioner in July.

Trump must provide written notification to Congress within 48 hours outlining his rationale for taking control of the police department. The president can unilaterally control the department for up to 30 days, but Congress must approve any extension.

It was not clear if the White House had coordinated its actions with local D.C. officials. A spokesperson for Mayor Muriel Bowser’s (D) office declined to comment just before Trump began speaking.

Crime in D.C. was down 35 percent in 2024 from the previous year, marking a 30-year low. Data from the District shows violent crime is also down so far in 2025 compared with the previous year. Trump turned his attention on the city when a former member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was attacked during a carjacking in the city earlier this month.

Trump, who addressed reporters from the White House briefing room, cast doubt on those numbers. White House officials have cited reports of a D.C. police commander who was placed on leave over allegations he changed crime statistics.

The president pointed to a series of high-profile crimes involving people with ties to government, including an incident earlier this month in which Edward “Big Balls” Coristine, a 19-year-old former DOGE staffer, was attacked.

Trump also pointed to the death of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, an intern in the office of Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kan.) who was killed in July.

“It’s becoming a situation of complete and total lawlessness,” Trump said.

Trump was joined for Monday’s announcement by Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Jeanine Pirro.

The White House has in recent days surged federal law enforcement around the District as part of a crackdown on crime. Officers from the DEA, the FBI, Secret Service and other agencies were deployed around the city.

The president also said he would push to remove homeless encampments from around the capital.

“Washington, D.C., should be one of the safest, cleanest and most beautiful cities anywhere in the world. And we’re going to make it that,” Trump said.

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BizSuitStacy · M

Oh...look who got their lying points today? 🤣🤣🤣

The answer is simple. Pelosi and McConnell rejected the idea. Too bad for you, the internet is forever.

JSul3 · 70-79

@BizSuitStacy

FACT CHECK: Trump’s claim Pelosi turned down his offer to send National Guard members on Jan. 6, 2021
By Associated Press
June 27, 2024
Former President Donald Trump falsely claimed that then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi “turned down” his offer to send “10,000 soldiers or National Guard” to the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

Pelosi does not direct the National Guard. Further, as the Capitol came under attack, she and then-Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell called for military assistance, including from the National Guard.

The Capitol Police Board decides on whether to call National Guard troops to the Capitol. It is made up of the House Sergeant at Arms, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and the Architect of the Capitol. The board decided not to call the guard ahead of the insurrection but did eventually request assistance after the rioting had already begun, and the troops arrived several hours later.

There is no evidence that either Pelosi or McConnell directed the security officials not to call the guard beforehand.

BizSuitStacy · M

@JSul3 In true lib form, when you get caught lying, as usual, you write a lot of nonsense to obfuscate your lie.

There is no evidence that either Pelosi or McConnell directed the security officials not to call the guard beforehand.

other than Sund's testimony and common sense, the likes of which escape you. Tell us how the SSAA & HSAA made that critical decision without Pelosi's & McConnell's input.

BigGuy2 · 31-35, M

@BizSuitStacy i was going to say the same thing

JSul3 · 70-79

@BizSuitStacy

Pelosi did not block the National Guard from the Capitol on Jan. 6
By ARIJETA LAJKA
Published 5:07 PM CDT, July 23, 2021

CLAIM: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blocked the National Guard from coming to the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. As Speaker of the House, Pelosi does not direct the National Guard. Further, as the Capitol came under attack, she and the Senate Majority leader called for military assistance, including the National Guard.

THE FACTS: On Tuesday, a false claim about the deadly Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol resurfaced suggesting that Pelosi blocked the National Guard from coming to lawmakers’ defense during the insurrection at the Capitol.

“@SpeakerPelosi, why did you block the National Guard from protecting the Capitol?” Indiana Rep. Jim Banks tweeted.

Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy posed a similar question on Fox News saying, “Was there a decision by the Speaker not to have the National Guard at the Capitol that day?”

The answer is no.

“On January 6th, the Speaker, a target of an assassination attempt that day, was no more in charge of Capitol security than Mitch McConnell was. This is a clear attempt to whitewash what happened on January 6th and divert blame,” Drew Hammill, a spokesperson for Pelosi told The Associated Press in an email.

The decision on whether to call National Guard troops to the Capitol is made by what is known as the Capitol Police Board, which is made up of the House Sergeant at Arms, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and the Architect of the Capitol. The board decided not to call the guard ahead of the insurrection but did eventually request assistance after the rioting had already begun, and the troops arrived several hours later.

The House Sergeant at Arms reports to Pelosi and the Senate Sergeant at Arms reported to McConnell, a Republican who was then Senate Majority Leader. There is no evidence that either directed the security officials not to call the guard beforehand, and Hammill said after the insurrection that Pelosi was never informed of such a request.

The officials on the board, along with the former Capitol Police chief, Steven Sund, have disputed each others’ accounts of who requested the guard when. Both Sergeants of Arms and the police chief resigned immediately after the attack.

Once Trump’s supporters were assaulting police and breaking into the building, Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer appealed to military leaders, asking the Army to deploy the National Guard.

“The Speaker believes security officials should make security decisions. The Speaker immediately signaled her support for the deployment of the National Guard when she was presented with that recommendation on the afternoon of January 6th. Public testimony confirms the fact that the Speaker was not made aware of any request for such a deployment prior to then,” Hammill said in a statement this week.

Republicans have falsely laid the blame on Pelosi without mentioning that GOP Leader McConnell had similar authority over the security officials that day. But there is no evidence that either was involved in any effort to block the National Guard before or during the insurrection.

So, if it's the Speaker of the House responsibility to call for the National Guard, why did Speaker Johnson not call for NG troops to DC?
Why did Trump?

JSul3 · 70-79

@BizSuitStacy
Why did Sund resign?
Was he lying?

BizSuitStacy · M

@JSul3 resigned? or removed & replaced?

CLAIM: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi blocked the National Guard from coming to the Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection.

You should try "fact checking" against someone that actually knows the facts. No one said Pelosi blocked the Nat Guard during the J6 insurrection She did that on Jan. 4th. Nice try lib.

The problem with leftist liars like you, is you deflect from the actual facts. The DC police's documented timeline began Dec. 16th. You continue to ignore the fact law enforcement and intelligence agencies were receiving reports daily of possible escalating violence. Jan. 4th wasn't the first time Sund addressed the concern of having the National Guard available. But on the 4th, he met with the SSAA & USAA who declined the additional security. Now, the SAAA reported to McConnell. The HSAA reported to Pelosi. That makes the Speaker and House leader accountable.

And if you believe the HSAA & SSAA made those decisions without any coordination, input or feedback from Pelosi & McConnell, then I have ocean front property in Nebraska for sale.

They knew. It's why the FBI has assets in the crowd which Wray refused to answer when asked under oath. It's why Ray Epps was given a slap on the wrist for telling people in the crowd to storm the Capitol. Shit...people pointed him out and screamed "Fed! Fed! Fed!"

But keep up the lies...I know you will.

BigGuy2 · 31-35, M

@BizSuitStacy 🤔 ... don't sugar coat it like that, say it to him straight 🤭🤭🤭