A total of 68 people were arrested overnight in the district.
More than 300 people have been arrested following the federal takeover of law enforcement at the District of Columbia police department, according to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
Bondi said that 68 people were arrested overnight on Aug. 16 after President Donald Trump federalized policing in the nationโs capital. This brings the total number of arrests to more than 300 since the operation began earlier this month.
โJust last night, our federal and DC law enforcement partners made 68 arrests and seized 15 illegal firearms,โ Bondi stated in an Aug. 17 post on X.
๐จ Over 300 arrests in D.C. โ and counting:
— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) August 17, 2025
Just last night, our federal and DC law enforcement partners made 68 arrests and seized 15 illegal firearms.
Homicide suspects, drug traffickers, and more are being charged.
Iโll continue to stand with you as we make DC safe again! pic.twitter.com/A6X0xYay54
โHomicide suspects, drug traffickers, and more are being charged. Iโll continue to stand with you as we make DC safe again!โ
Those arrested face charges including assault on a federal officer, aggravated assault, felony grand larceny, and driving under the influence, according to FBI Director Kash Patel.
๐จ Latest numbers from Saturday night – Sunday morning August 16-17:
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) August 17, 2025
-Federal partners reported total 68 arrests
-Of those 68, 19 were FBI arrests
-15 firearms seized
Charges include:
-Aggravated assault
-Felony grand larceny
-Assault on police officer
-DUI
Thanks to ourโฆ
Trump announced a federal takeover of D.C.โs Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) on Aug. 11, deploying hundreds of National Guard troops to the nationโs capital to curb crime.
Bondi then appointed DEA administrator Terry Cole as the District of Columbiaโs โemergency police commissioner,โ granting him full authority over the MPD.
Bondi, however, revised the order following a federal judgeโs ruling issued in response to legal challenges from D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb, who alleged that the federal government violated the Home Rule Act by attempting to replace MPD Chief Pamela Smith.
In her updated order, Bondi stated that Cole will serve as her โdesigneeโ at the MPD, and allowed Smith to remain in charge of its operations. The order will still require D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to assist with enforcing federal immigration law and locating illegal immigrants.
Chad Gilmartin, spokesperson for the attorney generalโs office, said in a post on X that the revised order is stronger than the initial one โbecause instead of requiring D.C. to rescind just one MDP order, @AGPamBondi has now REQUIRED full cooperation with federal immigration authorities.โ
Trump also ordered law enforcement to patrol the nationโs capital around the clock. He invoked Section 740 of the Home Rule Act, which allows the president to control the cityโs police department for up to 30 days, with any extension requiring congressional approval.