A top Justice Department official, Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, experienced a close call with a potential robbery on Tuesday afternoon in Washington, D.C. The incident has brought renewed attention to the growing safety concerns in the nation's capital. Dhillon reported that while walking back to the DOJ from an appointment, a homeless man attempted to steal her phone. Fortunately, she was able to evade the theft.
This unsettling event occurred on the same day that Dhillon, along with Gateway Pundit White House Correspondent Jordan Conradson, was confronted by another homeless individual near the White House, demanding Dhillon's water bottle before the encounter concluded without injury.
These incidents are not isolated. Edward Coristine, a Department of Energy (DOE) employee, was severely attacked after reportedly attempting to assist a woman being assaulted. Additionally, ABC News Live host Linsey Davis Phillips was assaulted near the network’s D.C. bureau, highlighting the ongoing public safety challenges in the district.
In response to the escalating violence, President Donald Trump invoked Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act on Monday, placing the Metropolitan Police Department under temporary federal oversight. This law permits the president to take control of local police operations during emergency conditions. Trump also signed a memorandum directing the Secretary of Defense to deploy National Guard troops to assist in maintaining order.
"We will bring in the military if it's needed," President Trump stated, according to GP. The federalization of local police, if extended beyond 48 hours, requires notification of the D.C. mayor and congressional committees. Trump has complied with this requirement, ensuring coordination between federal and local forces.
Despite some categories of crime showing decreases in official statistics, daily risks persist for residents and workers, as evidenced by the recent assaults on Dhillon and Phillips. These risks may not be fully captured in crime data. The federal intervention, including the deployment of the National Guard and temporary police oversight, is a decisive action to stabilize public safety in the city.
As local authorities continue to grapple with violent crime and property offenses, officials urge residents to remain vigilant. The coordination of patrols by federal and local law enforcement aims to prevent further attacks. The combination of incidents involving Dhillon and Phillips underscores the ongoing dangers in D.C., even as some statistics suggest improvements. The federal government's active response to recent violence in the city is a significant step toward restoring order and public safety.
