WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — Federal officials said more than 240 people have been arrested in Washington, D.C., since President Donald Trump launched a law enforcement surge in the nation’s capital earlier this month. The initiative, which began on August 7, is part of a wider federal strategy to target violent crime and immigration violations.
On the night of August 15 alone, authorities arrested 52 people. Officials reported that 28 of those arrested were migrants. Officers also seized three illegal firearms and filed charges that included armed robbery, drug distribution, and grand larceny warrants.
Since the operation began, authorities have recovered 38 firearms from suspects. The total number of arrests has already doubled the 120 arrests cited earlier in the week by FBI Director Kash Patel.
Alongside the arrests, law enforcement cleared 25 homeless encampments across the city. Officials stressed that no arrests or confrontations took place during these removals. The effort is part of what authorities describe as a public safety push designed to reduce crime and improve security in public spaces.
The White House said 22 multi-agency teams, with more than 1,800 personnel, were deployed across all seven police districts in Washington on the night of August 15. These teams included agents from the FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The D.C. National Guard is also patrolling key areas near the National Mall and Union Station. While the guardsmen are not making arrests, officials confirmed they are armed. Their presence is meant to protect federal property and deter violence in high-traffic areas.
Officials familiar with the initiative said the operation in Washington is part of a broader federal plan ordered by the White House. Trump has instructed all federal law enforcement agencies to work alongside Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The administration has set a goal of reaching 3,000 arrests per day nationwide, a benchmark developed by senior adviser Stephen Miller.
At the same time, officials pointed to falling border crossings. They say crossings have dropped to their lowest levels in decades since January. Administration leaders credit tighter enforcement policies and stronger cooperation with border states for the decline.
The operation in Washington is also drawing support from other states. On August 16, West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced he would send the West Virginia National Guard to the capital at the Trump administration’s request. The deployment further expands the federal footprint in Washington as the push against violent crime continues.
White House officials say the initiative’s goal is to restore order and reassure residents. They argue the sharp rise in arrests and firearms seizures shows the plan is working.
Critics, however, warn that deploying such a large federal presence in a local jurisdiction could fuel tensions. Homeless advocacy groups have also raised concerns about the removal of encampments without offering alternative housing.
For now, the administration shows no signs of slowing the effort. With more arrests each day and National Guard troops on the ground, Washington remains at the center of the White House’s law enforcement agenda. Officials say they will continue targeting violent offenders and unauthorized migrants in the coming weeks as they pursue the daily arrest goal set by the president.
The crackdown has already reshaped public safety in the city, and federal leaders suggest more operations are on the horizon.
