AdvertisementSchwalb argues the new order goes beyond Trump’s authority and implementing it would “sow chaos” in the Metropolitan Police Department. A member of the US National Guard walks past military vehicles on the National Mall in Washington, DC, on August 14, 2025. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith listens as Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser speaks during a news conference on President Donald Trump's plan to place Washington police under federal control and deploy National guard troops to Washington, Aug. 11, 2025, in Washington. National Guard troops watched over some of the world’s most renowned landmarks and Humvees took position in front of the busy main train station. Troops will assist law enforcement in a variety of roles, including traffic control posts and crowd control, National Guard Major Micah Maxwell said.
