FBI Director Kash Patel said President Donald Trump’s "'Make DC Safe Again' operation is delivering real results," announcing Thursday the initiative surpassed 1,800 arrests with dozens of guns and drugs seized in recent days.
From Wednesday to Thursday morning, FBI agents reported 28 arrests, 12 gun recoveries, 10 drug seizures and 80 total arrests by federal partners.
Patel said the crackdown is taking violent criminals off the streets and restoring law and order.
"President Trump’s ‘Make DC Safe Again’ operation is delivering real results," Patel said. "By working hand-in-hand with our federal, state and local partners, we are taking violent criminals off the streets and restoring law and order in our nation’s capital. This is exactly what it looks like when the federal government puts the safety of American families first."
DC ATTORNEY GENERAL SUES TRUMP OVER NATIONAL GUARD 'INVOLUNTARY MILITARY OCCUPATION'
Trump federalized D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department Aug. 11 for 30 days under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act.
Army Secretary Dan Driscoll in a memo Wednesday extended the mobilization through Nov. 30.
The federalization was set to expire next week, and an extension seemingly needed to be approved by Congress.
DC ARRESTS SURPASS 1,000 AS TRUMP-BACKED CRACKDOWN ENTERS 12TH HOMICIDE-FREE DAY
About 30 minutes after Patel released the latest figures, D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb shared on X that he filed a lawsuit to curb the administration's efforts in the nation's capital, arguing the deployment of 2,300 armed National Guard troops under federal command is unlawful.
"D.C. did not request or consent to the deployment of National Guard troops. Yet there are 2,300 National Guardsmen on our streets in military gear, carrying weapons, and driving armored vehicles," Schwalb wrote in the post.
He added the deployment violates the Posse Comitatus Act, threatens democracy and civil liberties and damages D.C.’s economy and public trust.
The White House defended the action, saying the president acted within his authority and that the operation has been effective in combating violent crime.