Senator Ruben Gallego has criticized President Trump's decision to federalize Washington, DC's police force, pointing to what he sees as inconsistent treatment of law enforcement situations.
The federal intervention stems from an incident involving a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee who was assaulted during an attempted carjacking approximately one week ago. This single incident prompted Trump to follow through on previous threats to assume federal control of the nation's capital.
Taking to X, Ruben Gallego drew a comparison between Trump's current actions and his response to January 6th events: "Trump saw hundreds of police officers getting beaten by his goons and didn't call the National Guard. One DOGE employee gets assaulted, and now he has the power to call them. So much for back the blue."
Trump saw hundreds of police officers getting beat by his goons and didn’t call the National Guard. One DOGE employee gets assaulted and now he has the power to call them. So much for back the blue. https://t.co/frT0TXJJla
— Ruben Gallego (@RubenGallego) August 11, 2025
The senator's statement highlights what he views as a double standard in the president's approach to law enforcement protection and federal intervention.
Trump announced during a news conference on Monday that the Metropolitan Police Department would now be under federal supervision and that National Guard troops would be sent to Washington, DC. To address the capital's problems with homelessness, crime, and public safety, the president approved the measure.
"I'm announcing a historic action to rescue our nation's capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor and worse," Trump declared, with Attorney General Pam Bondi standing alongside him. Pam Bondi will oversee the city's police force during the period of federal control.
The federal takeover operates under existing DC law that grants the president authority to direct local police services for federal purposes during emergencies.
Federal control is initially limited to 48 hours unless Congress is notified, and can continue up to 30 days with proper congressional notification. Senate and House committees must be informed of the reasons and expected duration.
When the emergency is over, the 30-day time is up, or Congress establishes an agreement ending the arrangement, the oversight will come to an end.
Concerns among Democrats about the degree and rationale of federal involvement in local law enforcement are expressed in Gallego's criticism.
The senator's reference to "back the blue", a phrase commonly associated with conservative support for police, suggests he views Trump's actions as politically motivated rather than genuinely focused on law enforcement protection.
Recent events have raised questions about justice and how far federal enforcement should go. The federal government's takeover of the D.C. police force marks a major shift in the relationship between federal and local law enforcement in the nation's capital and how the community is adjusting.
